Boeing recently received a Letter of Intent from Avatar Airlines, an American low-cost airline for the purchase of 30 brand new 747-8 passenger version aircraft. Avatar Airlines is a brand new low-cost startup airline which is planning to operate low-cost flights to major city pairs throughout the U.S. and Hawaii. Avatar Airlines will begin its operation with 14 747-400s transitioning to the 747-8, considering it to be the ideal replacement for the 747-400s. (simpleflying.com) 更多...
I’m baffled that a startup LCC would want to operate a fleet of four-engine aircraft, especially when those routes are also served by major carriers with smaller, more fuel-efficient and lower maintenance aircraft.
I wish them well and Boeing can certainly use the 747-8 orders, but the chances of long-term success for this venture are low.
This venture has a 0% chance of taking delivery on any of those planes. Does anyone really figure these people have found a way to make money flying a four engine jet that every other airline in the US has somehow overlooked? No one flew 74s on short routes, even when there were lots of passenger 74s in the sky.
On popular routes, it might make sense. Like JFK to Orlando over Christmas. But you aren't going to get that many folks coming to Sacramento, for example, at any one time. And Sacramento see's a lot of Southwest flight because it's the State capital.
The business model makes no sense unless they can put butts in every seat on every flight, year-round.
Furthermore, they need to go after customers who value price above everything else (departure/arrival times, frequency of flights, relative convenience of boarding aircraft with fewer passengers). And the established players can squeeze them on price because they can effectively subsidize routes served by Avatar using other more profitable routes.
I wish them well and Boeing can certainly use the 747-8 orders, but the chances of long-term success for this venture are low.