American Airlines Files for Bankruptcy Protection and I'm not shocked.

     Well one of the more widely known airlines has filed for bankruptcy protection. American Airlines filed for protection over last week, but the news didn't surprise me at all. In fact I saw this coming for a long long time. We all have a niche that we enjoy, and know all kinds of facts about that specific niche. My particular nerdy confession is my vast knowledge in airlines and their fleet of equipment they fly, as well as nerdy NASA stuff as well as trains. So what does all of this have to do with AA filing for protection?

     American Airlines flies some of the oldest planes around in the commercial airline industry. They still have intact a whole fleet of MD-80 jets. These jets were introduced in the 1980s and are fuel inefficient. Most other airlines fly more modern fleet, which include wingtips for added fuel efficiency. AA does have modifications on their boeing 737 and 757 aircraft but don't have any modifications on their MD-80 aircraft since this model can't support the modifications.

     Take a look at the airline industry leader here in the US. Southwest Airlines flies a modern 737 fleet and most of its fleet has the wing-lets for added efficiency. In addition, their ability to fly only one type of aircraft allows for better efficiency from a mechanical standpoint since inventory for only one type is needed whereas inventory of other aircraft parts is needed at American Airlines.

     Another airline company that I'm skeptical on based on the same theory is Delta. Now Delta Airlines in recent times went through its big acquisition of Northwest Airlines. But there's only one problem...both airlines also fly the same old MD-80 aircraft. Worst yet...Northwest Airlines even flies the DC-9 aircraft. Northwest had recently revamped their DC-9 fleet but still the aircraft are not fuel efficient. The only real efficient aircraft in the entire fleet are the airbus aircraft and boeing 757 aircraft they fly. Delta flies the newer 737 model as well as airbus equipment.

     So when will the airliners get it? But what can they really do? Not like they can sell the aircraft. Who would they be able to sell it to? Sell it for scrap? Perhaps...but what would that really cost? So there is sense in remaining to use the older fleet. But at some point, the operating costs will catch up to the airline company and that will penalize the consumers. Meanwhile, with it's leading customer service and the leaders in cost savings, Southwest continues to soar on fuel efficiency.