Which Airlines Have The Most Diverse Fleet Mix Of Boeing And Airbus Aircraft?

Airbus and Boeing are involved in one of the most contentious business rivalries in the world. The two aerospace giants have become the world’s primary source for commercial aircraft, offering a variety of products ranging from smaller, short-haul jets to some of the largest aircraft in the world. Their scale and advanced technology means that airlines can only pick between two suppliers for mainline commercial jets.

Airlines have reacted differently to today’s limited choice of aircraft suppliers. Some, like Southwest Airlines, Ryanair, and Copa Airlines, have opted to choose just one supplier and even just one aircraft type. These carriers, for example, only fly Boeing 737 family jets. Meanwhile, other carriers have diversified their fleet with a variety of aircraft types all from the same supplier, like El Al and Jin Air.

However, some airlines have embraced aircraft types from both suppliers. Some of the world’s largest airlines operate mixed fleets of Airbus and Boeing jets, continuing to support the United States and Europes’ growing aerospace industries. Some of these airlines operate more diverse fleets than others, and some of the world’s largest airlines boast the most diverse mix of Airbus and Boeing jets.

Delta, Lufthansa, And United Have The Most Diverse Mix Of Airbus And Boeing Jets

While many airlines across the world operate aircraft from both Boeing and Airbus, two US carriers and one European flag carrier operate the most diverse mix. Delta Air Lines has the most robust combination of aircraft from the two manufacturers, and is trailed by Lufthansa . Meanwhile, United Airlines , which has the largest mainline fleet of any carrier in the world, places third for its mixed fleet of European and American airliners.

These airlines are among the largest in the world, but also have the most aircraft types split between Boeing and Airbus. Delta and United both operate a massive, mixed fleet of narrowbody jets deployed on services across the United States and to select international destinations in North America and Europe. Meanwhile, Delta and Lufthansa both operate mixed fleets of long-haul, widebody jets, while United only flies widebody aircraft produced by Boeing.

Using data from planespotters.net, it’s apparent why these airlines top the list. Their combination of Boeing and Airbus jets is impressive, and though these airline giants encounter some inefficiencies from operating such a diverse fleet, their fleet’s unique composition of aircraft also allows them to serve markets more profitably.

 

Each Airline Operates A Variety Of Boeing And Airbus Jets

United’s most-used aircraft is by far the Boeing 737 . However, its narrowbody Airbus fleet is once again growing with the introduction of the Airbus A321neo. In the past, United’s leadership has expressed frustrations with Boeing’s delivery delays, especially with the firm’s failure to certify the Boeing 737 MAX 10 in a timely manner. As a result, the carrier continues to look to the Airbus A321neo as a higher-capacity narrowbody jet to deploy across its network.

While the specific fleet strategy and composition of each of these carriers differ, Delta, Lufthansa, and United operate the biggest mix of Airbus and Boeing jets. Such diversity and complexity undoubtedly comes at a cost to these carriers. But given that Delta and United are the most profitable airlines in the United States, this strategy seems to be working for them. So what benefits come with operating a split fleet?

Split Fleets Give Airlines More Flexibility And Bargaining power

Operating split fleets, especially between two different manufacturers, is a very costly practice. Airline employees need to be trained on a variety of aircraft types instead of just one, which lengthens the amount of time they are in training. Meanwhile, the airline must invest in the training equipment, replacement parts, and infrastructure to accommodate different aircraft types.

And yet, split fleet strategies are very important to some carriers. AirGuide reports that Delta’s Chief Executive Officer Ed Bastian even claimed maintaining supplier balance is a critical part of Delta’s strategy:

“We are constantly working with Airbus and Boeing, and currently, we are primarily adding Airbus planes. However, we are eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Boeing MAX in a couple of years. Maintaining a balance between Boeing and Airbus products is of utmost importance to us.”

The reasoning behind an airline’s decision to operate a split fleet is clearly strong enough to outweigh the added costs. Perhaps one of the most obvious benefits of operating a split fleet is that airlines are able to access new markets profitably that they otherwise would not have. While many of today’s modern airliners are quite versatile, there is not an aircraft type that is well-suited for any possible market. Diversifying their fleet allows airlines to expand the variety of destinations and routes they can serve profitably.

Additionally, when airlines purchase from both Boeing and Airbus, it gives them more bargaining power. If a manufacturer knows there is a legitimate risk of losing a deal to a competitor, they are more likely to offer discounts and more competitive prices to an airline to keep them from turning to a different supplier. Meanwhile, airlines that use only one supplier face massive switching costs to deploy an aircraft from another manufacturer. Suppliers could leverage this knowledge to charge higher prices.

Delta, Lufthansa, And United Face Added Costs and Flexibility

Given Delta, Lufthansa, and United’s mixed fleets, the carriers incur higher training, maintenance, and operational costs. However, they also unlock new and exciting markets and enjoy more bargaining power than carriers that operate more simplified fleets. These carriers leverage these strengths to become fiercer competitors in both short-haul and long-haul markets.

Still, each of these airlines tends to skew a certain direction. Delta relies heavily on Airbus jets, and, as Ed Bastian explained, has taken delivery of more new aircraft from the European aircraft manufacturer. While Lufthansa’s fleet is more evenly split in the future, today it skews in favor of Airbus. Meanwhile, United has historically shown a preference for Boeing jets, though its future relationship with Boeing is at risk due to recent challenges.