Why the A321XLR makes sense for Alaska Airlines

By Scott Hamilton Feb. 23, 2020, © Leeham News: Alaska Airlines last week said it will place an order, perhaps this year, for 200 aircraft for delivery over the next decade. The carrier exclusively operated Boeing 737s until… Read More

Pontifications: Catching up on Odds and Ends-Alaska’s Airbus fleet, first E195-E2 delivery, Boeing’s MAX rebranding question

Take our Boeing 737 MAX rebranding poll at the end of this post. Sept. 2, 2019, © Leeham News: It’s time to catch up on Odds and Ends. Alaska Airlines In its second quarter earnings call and 10Q… Read More

Pontifications: Measured comments and “useful” information

March 5, 2018, © Leeham Co.: Nothing is as frustrating to a journalist as interview a great subject who doesn’t offer up anything especially useful. I had a brief sideline interview with one such person at the US… Read More

Pontifications: Countdown to Delta’s single-aisle decision

Dec. 11, 2017, © Leeham Co.: Eyes will watch Atlanta (GA) this week, when the Delta Air Lines Board of Directors decides to award a big order for the re-engined Airbus and Boeing single aisle airplanes. The Board… Read More

Pontifications: Delta’s decision on neo vs MAX near

Dec. 4, 2017, © Leeham Co.: The Delta Air Lines management decision for an order for 100 Airbus A321neos or Boeing 737 MAXes, plus an equal number of options, is expected this week. A decision by the Board… Read More

Assessing Alaska Air Group’s fleet requirements

Subscription Required Introduction Oct. 27, 2017, © Leeham Co.: Alaska Airlines Group (AAG) acquired Virgin America (VA) and with it, Virgin’s exclusive fleet of Airbus A320ceos with orders for A320neos and A321neos. With Alaska Airlines (AS) being an… Read More

To Kill a Better Bird

Subscription Required Introduction Oct. 12, 2017, © Leeham Co.: Boeing’s brash and controversial move to file the trade complaint with the US Department of Commerce is a bold gamble designed to kill the Bombardier CSeries entirely, not just… Read More

Pontifications: Branson gets pissy over dropping the Virgin America name

April 3, 2017, © Leeham Co.: Sir Richard Branson came to Seattle last week to promote the new service by Virgin Atlantic Airlines to London. In a hissy-fit, he promptly pissed on Alaska Airlines for the business decision… Read More

If Boeing builds MAX 10, will customers come?

Subscription Required Introduction March 7, 2017, © Leeham Co.: If Boeing builds the 737-10, which appears increasingly likely, will customers come? This is always the multi-billion-dollar question for any aircraft and engine manufacturer. For Boeing, launching the 737-10… Read More

Pontifications: Boeing 737-9 roll-out–Nothing Special in the Air

March 6, 2017, © Leeham Co.: Boeing rolls out its 737-9 MAX tomorrow. Last week, I received a call from one of the network/cable news organizations asking, What’s special about this airplane? The answer is: Nothing.