Boeing 717

I read that AirTran is ordering 737NG

Have ordered and are receiving. Along with a disgusting excuse for a new livery.

I read that AirTran is ordering 737NG

AirTran and ATA are 2 different companies. ATA use to be known as American TransAir but officially changed their name to ATA last year. They are based at Chicago-Midway and fly 737-800’s and 757-200/300’s. They use to operated L-1011’s but I don’t think they do much with them any more other than the occastional military charter. I see them parked at IND but never operating.

Is ATA the same thing as Air Tran?

If so, would they really order as many as 100 additional 717’s? That would make their fleet HUGE!

ATA of the US are apparently looking at up to 40 smaller aircraft being A319 or B717

Apparently the company and pilot union recently came to an agreement on pay for the B717 with a possible order as large as 100 in the future. ATA is currently going through some rocky financial times so the future is still cloudy on when and how many of the B717 will be ordered.

A good article on Boeing’s plan for the 717…

Boeing downplays threat to 717

Flight International
16 Mar 2004

Boeing has moved to stem the disquiet over the future of its 717 and 767 programmes in the wake of a US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing that warns that closing the 717 line could cost the company $400 million in charges.

While it is unable to deny the shrinking backlog for both models, the company stresses that legal requirements mandate the public release of risk mitigation plans to investors that would formerly have remained company confidential.

The long-threatened 717 has a backlog of 34 aircraft, the bulk of which are on order for Midwest Airlines (12) and leasing company Pembroke Group (14). Midwest has received 13 of the 25 it holds on firm order, and has options on a further 25. The airline says it is in a “better financial position than ever”, and has no plans to adjust its 717 orders. The 14th 717 is due to arrive in March and its last in 2006.

AirTran Airways, the biggest single operator and launch customer for the 717, has another six on firm order. Three will be handed over in May, with the remaining three due for delivery in 2005. Turkmenistan Airlines, which flies three 717s, accounts for the balance of the orders.

The SEC filing “is not an indicator of any imminent programme termination. There are some campaigns under way and the outcome of these will determine the future of the programme,” says Boeing. These include the Star Alliance 100-seater contest with the focus on a possible order from Austrian, Lufthansa and Scandinavian Airlines, an unspecified competition in China and a contested requirement for up to 12 new 100-seaters from an unidentified Pacific-based carrier.

Should the 717 programme be closed, “we could recognise a pre-tax earnings charge of approximately $400 million”, says Boeing.

The long-term future of the 767 is tied to the fate of the US Air Force tanker decision, the outcome of which is expected around 1 May. The order backlog has dwindled to just 25 under the combined influences of poor market conditions, heavy competition from the Airbus A330-200, and the pending introduction of the 7E7 family.

717 order backlog at 29 February 2004

Customer

AirTran – 6

Midwest Airlines – 12

Pembroke Group – 14

Turkmenistan Airlines – 2

Total – 34

(Source: Boeing)

GUY NORRIS / LOS ANGELES & STEPHEN TRIMBLE / WASHINGTON DC

ATA of the US are apparently looking at up to 40 smaller aircraft being A319 or B717

So where will the 717’s go?

…I’ve heard that the 14 ex Qf Link ex Jetstar birds have been snapped up by Cebu

Cebu have just placed an order with Airbus instead of taking the 717’s.

Olympic Aviation retired them and choose to fulfill their operations with 737-400’s. I don’t know why. They used to fly from Thessaloniki to Brussels, well they were probably based at Thessaloniki. Maybe their 717 fleet was too small?

Qantas has already taken them out of service? I understand their getting them was an accident in the first place, but why take them out so quickly.

And why would Jetstar phase them out when, they are pretty-much brand-new birds?

Because Qantas/Jet star wanted to order A320’s to keep airbus sweet as Qantas want more A330’s from them

Qantas has already taken them out of service? I understand their getting them was an accident in the first place, but why take them out so quickly.

And why would Jetstar phase them out when, they are pretty-much brand-new birds?

I believe Qantas link were more than happy with the 717 before they were transferred to Jetstar which is phazing them out as the A320’s come online
I’ve heard that the 14 ex Qf Link ex Jetstar birds have been snapped up by Cebu

From what I’ve heard the pilots love the 717. My girlfriend had a couple flights on AirTran earlier this year and wasn’t too impressed with the seating. Since they are a LCC they have the seat pitch very low which doesn’t give much room to even the moderately tall folks.