Typically on any given RJ operated route a turbo-prop would use less fuel. In return it's (somewhat) slower, which reduces the number of flights you can do by day. Somewhere in there is a tipping point where a turbo-prop is better than an RJ, depending on the price of fuel vs the revenue per plane load of passengers

 

 

 

Embraer certainly doesn't think so. They recently announced that they wouldn't be developing a new turboprop because the market was too small for more than two compe**ors* (i.e. Bombardier and ATR). I don't think there have been that many Q400 orders recently either.

 

*Hmm, it appears the profanity filter is rather proactive, no discussion of the Paridae bird family allowed it would seem.

 

The Q400 is in it's last ~30 orders. The reason for that though is that there have been a couple airlines recently to collapse, Lynx and Colgan. These have been bought by other airlines who might have purchased new.

Westjet is starting an all new Q400 airline to service in Western Canada, similar to the Porter Airline concept operating out of Toronto Island Airport. This concept has really worked for Porter as a regional airline and not a feeder.

 

The Porter Airline concept is a low budget all first class service with a lounge instead of a gate and free catering, free food and alcohol at the lounge and on the flight, this focus is on the regional business traveler. The concept has really caught on in Canada as an alternative to what people hate about the airlines. Kind of like what the 1960's used to be like when traveling meant something.

 

It really doesn't cost an airline much money to upgrade a gate to a lounge for everyone waiting and give them all the Coca-Cola and Sandwiches they can eat and a free beer or wine on the flight. Makes them feel special. Also the lounge has the latest Apple Mac Computers for people to play around with while they wait as well as free WiFi.

 

This is why Westjet has 20 Q400's on order and an option for another 25. These Q400's are decked out with leather seating and are really comfortable.

That is just like Horizon Airlines. They have local micro brews and wine on the flights. It was a great airline to work for until it starting to go down hill rapidly in recent years.

That is just like Horizon Airlines. They have local micro brews and wine on the flights. It was a great airline to work for until it starting to go down hill rapidly in recent years.

 

That is true...forgot about that. They had a nice setup at KSEA. Those little extra's go along way. Too bad they let the standards slide.

 

Cheers

That is true...forgot about that. They had a nice setup at KSEA. Those little extra's go along way. Too bad they let the standards slide.

 

Cheers

 

It's nice they still have some of the perks but it is sad to see them as a CPA carrier now :( No more independence.

What a strangely constructed article.

 

The opening premise is fair enough: 747-400 prices have dropped. Expected, as fuel prices are at a record high, and current generation aircraft (including 747-8, A380, B777, B787 A321neo and 737max, and possibly the A330) are far more fuel efficient per seat-mile, and lower in maintenance costs.

 

Passenger numbers are stalling at present, so medium sized aircraft which are more efficient-per-passenger-seat-mile is what airlines need.

 

Why would anyone want to buy a big gas guzzler? Demand drops. Price drops.

 

Airlines don't want less fuel efficient aircraft? This is hardly a surprise. How long do you think it takes to recoup the difference in "purchase" cost? And if the company is leasing the aircraft, it is a no-brainer.. Actually, the question is whether they are worth 36million .... if you can lease and operate an aircraft that uses less fuel.

I guess it might be news to people that don't follow aviation, but yeah it's hardly breaking news. Don't forget that airlines leasing planes doesn't necessarily affect the purchase cost much. All that changes is who does the purchasing (lease company vs airline).