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- convair880mfan
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Why didn't TWA go for the Boeing 737?
TWA had experience with the 707 and 727. I wonder why they decided to avoid the 737 and go with the DC-9? Does anyone know? Thanks in advance for any insight here.
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- GalaxyFlyer
- Posts: 12400
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Re: Why didn't TWA go for the Boeing 737?
The 737 was initially hobbled by the 3-crew issue, UAL was the only major US operator until ALPA relented on crewing. TW was a early DC-9 operator and didn’t need two small planes, especially if one of them required 3 pilots.
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- FlapOperator
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Re: Why didn't TWA go for the Boeing 737?
A couple of reasons.
First, TWA was already a DC-9 operation.
Second, TWA was poor as church mice.
Third, the 737 really didn't fit in the system form since they were already operating a regional jet aircraft and they needed their acquisition budget to cover other priorities in their Regulation-era route structure.
The fact that route authorities drove aircraft acquisition was well known element of the Regulation environment, and critically hampered the transition of TWA and PANAM in particular to a deregulated environment.
First, TWA was already a DC-9 operation.
Second, TWA was poor as church mice.
Third, the 737 really didn't fit in the system form since they were already operating a regional jet aircraft and they needed their acquisition budget to cover other priorities in their Regulation-era route structure.
The fact that route authorities drove aircraft acquisition was well known element of the Regulation environment, and critically hampered the transition of TWA and PANAM in particular to a deregulated environment.
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- FlySail2015
- Posts: 68
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Re: Why didn't TWA go for the Boeing 737?
I don't know the exact reasons (although the posts above mentioning the cost and labor issues regarding the 3-pilot requirement for the 737 at the time surely sound plausible), but I do know that while yes TWA had the 707 and 727 (and indeed had a fantastic run with both of them), let's not forget TWA's close partnership with Douglas since the very earliest of days. The one-and-only DC-1 was built for TWA, and they also went on to operate the DC-2, DC-3, and DC-4. Perhaps they "returned" to Douglas with their purchase of DC-9s, and then its success kept their long-time relationship going with the MD-80 family (which became their domestic workhorse, especially as the 727s got phased out) and later the B717 (MD-95) which was on track for 50 orders.
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- Clydenairways
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Re: Why didn't TWA go for the Boeing 737?
convair880mfan wrote:TWA had experience with the 707 and 727. I wonder why they decided to avoid the 737 and go with the DC-9? Does anyone know? Thanks in advance for any insight here.
The DC-9 was out before the 737 and TWA were an early operator of the DC-9 starting in 1966. If you remember United had the Caravelle already so they didn't have the urgency to find a replacement that early.
Delta and Eastern also started operating the DC-9 in '66 so TWA would have been without a Twin Jet until at least 1968 if they went with the 737. There was a huge rush to replace props with jets in those days.
Re: Why didn't TWA go for the Boeing 737?
Clydenairways wrote:convair880mfan wrote:TWA had experience with the 707 and 727. I wonder why they decided to avoid the 737 and go with the DC-9? Does anyone know? Thanks in advance for any insight here.
The DC-9 was out before the 737 and TWA were an early operator of the DC-9 starting in 1966. If you remember United had the Caravelle already so they didn't have the urgency to find a replacement that early.
Delta and Eastern also started operating the DC-9 in '66 so TWA would have been without a Twin Jet until at least 1968 if they went with the 737. There was a huge rush to replace props with jets in those days.
Did they ever considered the DC-8? I guess the CV880 was a reason, right?
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- blacksoviet
- Posts: 2008
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Re: Why didn't TWA go for the Boeing 737?
The 717 is more efficient than both the 736 and the 73G. TWA probably couldn’t fill a 73G on many of their routes.
Re: Why didn't TWA go for the Boeing 737?
Not all US carriers flew to 737 the was most do today.
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- eta unknown
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Re: Why didn't TWA go for the Boeing 737?
AA did operate the 732 after they purchased Air California.
Re: Why didn't TWA go for the Boeing 737?
eta unknown wrote:AA did operate the 732 after they purchased Air California.
Along with 733s from the same purchase. Although they did not last long until they were sold (mostly to WN). And of course AA was a 738 operator from the late 90s selecting it over the MD-90.
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