ATA Getting rid of 737-300s

[PhilDernerJr]

I hear that ATA alreadyhas gotten rid of one of their three 737-300s, and will have the other two removed by fall.

I understand that they've been somewhat of a headache MX-wise, as they each are different from each other and created annoyances with aircraft commonality.

[Nick Bartolotta]

You were right on the money about the reason...I visited ATA HQ in April and spoke to one of their SOC guys who told me the aircraft was a mess, the operations guys hated it.

They said first: it has mx issues like mad; second, it requires additional crew training because it's a different flight deck (gauges vs. screens); third because it held less PAX, meaning when they swapped it with a 738 they had to bump people, and lastly it just wasn't practical anymore. They were leased when ATA's business plan was to shrink to survive, now it's to expand to success.

402TZ is operating now for a South American-based airline, and 401TZ is due out in September. As far as I know, there is no home for 403TZ at this time.

[AirtrafficController]

well I guess the grannys of ATA are retiring

[Iberia A340-600]

well I guess the grannys of ATA are retiring

That would be the L-1011 and the DC-10. The 737-300s are relatively new to ATA.

[LGA777]

Here we go, check out this nice hybrid !

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6011285

Cheers

LGA777

[T-Bird76]

ATA announced sometime ago they were dumping the 733s. They go the 733s spefically for the LGA-HOU run and since that is gone they no longer need then.

[N790SW]

Even though this is the same economics, why would they go for the 733's when i am sure there are 734's out there- that would give them at least a little more commonality? After all isn't a 734 pretty much a " old school" 738?

[T-Bird76]

Even though this is the same economics, why would they go for the 733's when i am sure there are 734's out there- that would give them at least a little more commonality? After all isn't a 734 pretty much a " old school" 738?

In no way is the 734 like the 738... there is no commonality between the classic 73s and the NGs as most ppl think. The 733s had the seating ATA wanted but with HOU going by by they have no use for them. With ATA's desire to expand the WN codeshare to more international destinations I'd look to see 737-700s and maybe more 800s come online. It also wouldn't surprise me in the least bit to see ATA buy Sun Country. That would give them the 800s they need for more international ops for WN. It would also give WN MSP which is a totally untapped market for WN right now.

[PhilDernerJr]

I couldn't imagine ATA actually getting into scheduled service with 738s. I understand they were already having trouble with military charters overseas with the type.

I also think the situation is complicated with ATA having bought World and NAA.

[N790SW]

I couldn't imagine ATA actually getting into scheduled service with 738s. I understand they were already having trouble with military charters overseas with the type.

Don't they already offer scheduled service to MDW from LGA with the 738's?

When did they try overseas charters with the 738? are they ETOPS certified ?

[Matt Molnar]

ATA operates six daily LGA-MDW flights. Three are 733s, three are 738s.

[PhilDernerJr]

I meant internationally.

[T-Bird76]

I meant internationally.

Phil International doesn't just mean Trans Atlantic. Canada, Mexico, and the Islands are all international flights that 738s already serve.

[DHG750R]

Yes the ATA 738's are ETOPS

The 733 and 734 are identical in terms of systems. The only difference being the length and therefore operating weights .