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    David of Australia

    December 30, 2015

    The Boeing 737 versus Airbus 320 competition is interesting to follow. Locally, what I cannot follow, is the fact that Qantas/Jetstar has large numbers of both and Virgin/Tiger has fewer A320’s in comparison with the B737’s. Admittedly, Virgin inherited the 320’s when it took control of Tiger. What is so special about the 737 for Qantas use and the 320 for Jetstar? The latter has a wider cabin/seat which would appear to match the more upmarket Qantas image. Surely standardising on the one aircraft would make for simpler maintenance for a start.

    Editors' Comment

    Standardization is important and it is why Virgin, until recently, had an all B737 fleet. Most low cost carriers follow a one aircraft one fleet rule. Put VERY simply, A320s are cheaper to buy than 737s but 737s last longer. Its like buying an expensive car that you can keep for years that will be forever reliable vs buying a cheaper car that may not last as long but you don't plan to have it that long anyway so you will invest less now and buy another sooner.
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