I found this interesting as Anderson didn’t repeat his usual mantra about the 787 being overweight and that it will definitely be a part of the Delta fleet. Also interesting to note "we are not talking to Alaska about a purchase". This is how the Delta/NWA deal got started. Having said that I think a tight code share accomplishes Delta's purposes. More likely would be a run on JB for the terminal, slots, eliminate a competitor on some of the most valued real estate in the U.S. etc
I also found it interesting that he says all aircraft manufactures would be looked at including Embraer and Canadair. Let’s hope those planes are 100 seaters going to big D and not compass, comair etc.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/388249_delta18.html
Delta loyal to Boeing, but says it will play the field
By JAMES WALLACE
P-I AEROSPACE REPORTER
Although Delta Air Lines has long been one of The Boeing Co.'s most loyal customers, don't look for the world's largest airline to buy new jets from just Boeing in the future.
"Delta will be an opportunistic purchaser of airplanes, and that will include both Boeing and Airbus," Delta Chief Executive Richard Anderson said Monday during a visit to Seattle to announce a new partnership agreement with Alaska Airlines.
When it comes time to buy more jets, Delta also will consider smaller regional planes made by Canada's Bombardier and Brazil's Embraer, Anderson said.
"Given our size, the breadth of our network and the variety of places that we fly, we will be customers for all the major suppliers," he said.
Delta recently received the federal OK to complete its merger with Northwest, which will make it the world's biggest airline once it receives a single operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration. That's about 15 to 18 months away.
Northwest is one of only three U.S. airlines to so far to order Boeing's 787 Dreamliner, which is more than 14 months late.
Anderson said Boeing has not given Northwest a new firm delivery date for its first 787s.
After a recently ended 57-day strike by the Machinists union, and a new issue with improperly installed 787 fasteners, Boeing is reassessing its 787 delivery schedule.
Before the strike and fastener issue, Boeing was expecting to deliver the first 787s next August. Industry analysts now believe those deliveries will be pushed back into 2010, but just how far remains to be seen.
Anderson said the 787 will be a good fit for the merged airline. "It's a pretty remarkable airplane," he said of the Dreamliner, which will be the first large passenger plane with a composite airframe. It also will have a number of cabin innovations to enhance the flying experience for passengers.
"Boeing has done a nice job on the innovation, but it remains to be seen when we get delivery of the airplane at this point," Anderson said.
He was asked about industry speculation that Delta, unlike Northwest, believes the 787 is too small for its long-haul routes and that Delta would prefer a bigger plane such as the Airbus A350 that is in development.
"Given the fact that we fly to 380 cities on six continents and that we fly nonstop from our hubs to just about every city in the world of any consequence, different-size airplanes with different payloads and range really matter," Anderson said.
"So the right-sized airplane in a market is really important in this business. Given the wide variations of markets we serve, the 787 over the long term will certainly have a role." Northwest has 18 Dreamliners on firm order, with options for 50 more.
Former Northwest Chief Executive Doug Steenland, who is now on the combined board, said earlier this year that he believed the merger of Northwest with Delta could mean those options are likely to be exercised. Anderson would said not say if or when Delta might order more 787s. Delta operates a large fleet of Boeing 767s, 777s and 737s.
Northwest is the biggest operator of the Airbus A330, which is similar in size to the 787.
Northwest has taken most of the planes it has on order with Airbus. But Delta still has about 50 unfilled orders with Boeing, mostly for 737s along with some 777s, including the long range 777-200LR.
In the 1990s, Delta, American and Continental signed exclusive 20-year deals with Boeing to buy its commercial jetliners.
Those exclusive contracts had to be reworked in 1997 before the European Union would sign off on the merger between Boeing and McDonnell Douglas. The Europeans wanted Airbus to have the same opportunity as Boeing to sell its planes to any U.S. airline.
Even though they may operate some Airbus planes in their fleets, Delta, Continental and American have not bought planes from Airbus since those exclusive deals with Boeing were negotiated.
Delta must eventually replace its aging fleet of 767s. It also operates the older Boeing MD-80.
Last week, Delta announced plans to add 15 new international routes starting next spring. In March, Northwest will add Seattle-Beijing.
Delta is already deploying Northwest Boeing 747s and Airbus A330s on new international routes.
Northwest and United are the only two U.S. airlines that still operate passenger versions of Boeing's 747.
Anderson was asked Monday about a report last month from Credit Suisse analyst Daniel McKenzie, who wrote that Delta might be interested acquiring Alaska Airlines at some point.
Anderson said he has not spoken with Bill Ayer, Alaska's chief executive, about combining the two airlines. Alaska is the nation's 10th-biggest carrier.
Such a merger, Anderson said, has "not been the subject of any of our conversations at all."
The expanded marketing alliance with Alaska means Delta and Alaska customers will enjoy code-sharing benefits from priority check and shared frequent flier programs for elite members to reciprocal upgrades and use of club lounges.
I also found it interesting that he says all aircraft manufactures would be looked at including Embraer and Canadair. Let’s hope those planes are 100 seaters going to big D and not compass, comair etc.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/388249_delta18.html
Delta loyal to Boeing, but says it will play the field
By JAMES WALLACE
P-I AEROSPACE REPORTER
Although Delta Air Lines has long been one of The Boeing Co.'s most loyal customers, don't look for the world's largest airline to buy new jets from just Boeing in the future.
"Delta will be an opportunistic purchaser of airplanes, and that will include both Boeing and Airbus," Delta Chief Executive Richard Anderson said Monday during a visit to Seattle to announce a new partnership agreement with Alaska Airlines.
When it comes time to buy more jets, Delta also will consider smaller regional planes made by Canada's Bombardier and Brazil's Embraer, Anderson said.
"Given our size, the breadth of our network and the variety of places that we fly, we will be customers for all the major suppliers," he said.
Delta recently received the federal OK to complete its merger with Northwest, which will make it the world's biggest airline once it receives a single operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration. That's about 15 to 18 months away.
Northwest is one of only three U.S. airlines to so far to order Boeing's 787 Dreamliner, which is more than 14 months late.
Anderson said Boeing has not given Northwest a new firm delivery date for its first 787s.
After a recently ended 57-day strike by the Machinists union, and a new issue with improperly installed 787 fasteners, Boeing is reassessing its 787 delivery schedule.
Before the strike and fastener issue, Boeing was expecting to deliver the first 787s next August. Industry analysts now believe those deliveries will be pushed back into 2010, but just how far remains to be seen.
Anderson said the 787 will be a good fit for the merged airline. "It's a pretty remarkable airplane," he said of the Dreamliner, which will be the first large passenger plane with a composite airframe. It also will have a number of cabin innovations to enhance the flying experience for passengers.
"Boeing has done a nice job on the innovation, but it remains to be seen when we get delivery of the airplane at this point," Anderson said.
He was asked about industry speculation that Delta, unlike Northwest, believes the 787 is too small for its long-haul routes and that Delta would prefer a bigger plane such as the Airbus A350 that is in development.
"Given the fact that we fly to 380 cities on six continents and that we fly nonstop from our hubs to just about every city in the world of any consequence, different-size airplanes with different payloads and range really matter," Anderson said.
"So the right-sized airplane in a market is really important in this business. Given the wide variations of markets we serve, the 787 over the long term will certainly have a role." Northwest has 18 Dreamliners on firm order, with options for 50 more.
Former Northwest Chief Executive Doug Steenland, who is now on the combined board, said earlier this year that he believed the merger of Northwest with Delta could mean those options are likely to be exercised. Anderson would said not say if or when Delta might order more 787s. Delta operates a large fleet of Boeing 767s, 777s and 737s.
Northwest is the biggest operator of the Airbus A330, which is similar in size to the 787.
Northwest has taken most of the planes it has on order with Airbus. But Delta still has about 50 unfilled orders with Boeing, mostly for 737s along with some 777s, including the long range 777-200LR.
In the 1990s, Delta, American and Continental signed exclusive 20-year deals with Boeing to buy its commercial jetliners.
Those exclusive contracts had to be reworked in 1997 before the European Union would sign off on the merger between Boeing and McDonnell Douglas. The Europeans wanted Airbus to have the same opportunity as Boeing to sell its planes to any U.S. airline.
Even though they may operate some Airbus planes in their fleets, Delta, Continental and American have not bought planes from Airbus since those exclusive deals with Boeing were negotiated.
Delta must eventually replace its aging fleet of 767s. It also operates the older Boeing MD-80.
Last week, Delta announced plans to add 15 new international routes starting next spring. In March, Northwest will add Seattle-Beijing.
Delta is already deploying Northwest Boeing 747s and Airbus A330s on new international routes.
Northwest and United are the only two U.S. airlines that still operate passenger versions of Boeing's 747.
Anderson was asked Monday about a report last month from Credit Suisse analyst Daniel McKenzie, who wrote that Delta might be interested acquiring Alaska Airlines at some point.
Anderson said he has not spoken with Bill Ayer, Alaska's chief executive, about combining the two airlines. Alaska is the nation's 10th-biggest carrier.
Such a merger, Anderson said, has "not been the subject of any of our conversations at all."
The expanded marketing alliance with Alaska means Delta and Alaska customers will enjoy code-sharing benefits from priority check and shared frequent flier programs for elite members to reciprocal upgrades and use of club lounges.
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