Quote:Alaska sells MD-80 fleetMove will lower costs, position airline for more aggressive growthAfter 22 years of faithful service, the venerable MD-80 is about to fade into Alaska Airlines' history. This week, the carrier agreed to sell 20 of its 24 remaining MD-80s to North Shore Aircraft LLC, an affiliate of Chicago-based Aviation Asset Holdings LLC. Alaska is currently exploring options for its four remaining MD-80s, which could include subleasing to another airline or parking them at a long-term storage facility in California until their leases expire in October 2012.By retiring its MD-80s early, the airline expects to save about $131.1 million per year in maintenance, fuel, pilot training and other costs. This will lower non-fuel unit costs (CASM) by about 0.3 cents.When the last MD-80 leaves the airline late next year, Alaska Airlines will have an all-737 fleet that is one of the youngest in the industry.

I heard Alaska Airlines is also buying 737-900's (the big 737) and I heard that was done to replace MD-80's also.The MD is imo a great aircraft but I'm afraid the new designs are indeed more fuel-efficient. Plus with the hours accumulating on the MD's it's no doubt we'll see them gradually fade away from mainline service...just like 727's have been.RhettAMD 3700+ (@2585 mhz), eVGA 7800GT 256 (Guru3D 93.71), ASUS A8N-E, PC Power 510 SLI, 2gb Corsair XMS 3-3-3-8 (1T), WD 150 gig 10000rpm Raptor, WD 250gig 7200rpm SATA2, Seagate 120gb 5400 rpm external HD, CoolerMaster Praetorian

Don't forget about the 747-200 and the 737-200. There still are a few left. Imagine if the MD-80 does go extinct. What will American do. Thats most of their workhorses. I was suppose to fly on and Alaska MD-80 on the 14th of July. I wonder if they will change it to a 737-400.-Nick

I have flown on many many MD-80's over the years since TWA and American have had such a big presence at KSTL. It will be sad to see the super 80's go.I think I read where American is going to soldier on with their MD's for a only a few more years. Then I guess they will have to do something--probably a 737 of some type. After years of seeing lots of DC-9's and MD-8x's at KSTL it will be strange seeing more 737's.I am not sure if American is one of those airlines that has a tacit agreement (like Continental has) to *not* buy Airbuses. The A319 would be a nice fit for American to replace the MD's but then again so would a 737-700.RhettAMD 3700+ (@2585 mhz), eVGA 7800GT 256 (Guru3D 93.71), ASUS A8N-E, PC Power 510 SLI, 2gb Corsair XMS 3-3-3-8 (1T), WD 150 gig 10000rpm Raptor, WD 250gig 7200rpm SATA2, Seagate 120gb 5400 rpm external HD, CoolerMaster Praetorian

>Imagine if the MD-80 does go extinct. What>will American do. I just did some checking and it looks like American is going to buy a bunch of 737-800's to replace their MD-80 fleet. Here's a link:http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?Content...98-202261f539a5RhettAMD 3700+ (@2585 mhz), eVGA 7800GT 256 (Guru3D 93.71), ASUS A8N-E, PC Power 510 SLI, 2gb Corsair XMS 3-3-3-8 (1T), WD 150 gig 10000rpm Raptor, WD 250gig 7200rpm SATA2, Seagate 120gb 5400 rpm external HD, CoolerMaster Praetorian

See, now that doesn't suprise me. I think it would be great to see an A319 operating for American. It would also be nice to see a few 737-300's back in service. Its only been about 17 years since they used them.-Nick

I guess American is going for a slightly larger capacity aircraft (737-800) and fewer aircraft (only 40-something, to replace a lot more MD-8x's). But maybe AAL will end up ordering even more 737-8's.So I guess in the end, they will have about the same passenger capacity, just with fewer aircraft.I think AA fills up their MD-80's on most flights. At least all the ones I've been on out of KSTL were full. 738 might be a good fit.They probably have one of those agreements not to buy Airbus.RhettAMD 3700+ (@2585 mhz), eVGA 7800GT 256 (Guru3D 93.71), ASUS A8N-E, PC Power 510 SLI, 2gb Corsair XMS 3-3-3-8 (1T), WD 150 gig 10000rpm Raptor, WD 250gig 7200rpm SATA2, Seagate 120gb 5400 rpm external HD, CoolerMaster Praetorian

MDs are a dying type of breed... i'm sure they will be flying for a while in other countries though, they are still a decent plane (altough I heard they are very crampy)