The aging planes of United, American, and Delta guzzle more gas and make the U.S. carriers more vulnerable to soaring oil prices—and to their global competitorsFor a look at one of the biggest headaches facing U.S. airlines, head out to Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport any day and watch the big jets taking off for the U.S. There goes United Airlines to Chicago, American Airlines to Boston, Delta Air Lines to Atlanta, and Air France to New York's John F. Kennedy airport.
What's the big deal? Many of the U.S. carriers' planes are Boeing 767s, a model that dates from the mid-1980s. Most Air France-KLM (AIRF.PA) planes are at least a decade younger—and a lot more fuel-efficient. According to U.S. Transportation Dept. data, the Airbus A330 model that Air France flies between Paris and JFK burns an average 12% less fuel per passenger than the 767 does on a similar flight.
With oil prices above $130 a barrel, that adds up fast. Indeed, if prices remain at current levels, U.S. airlines are forecast to lose a record $7.2 billion this year, triggering what could be a brutal industry shakeout (BusinessWeek.com, 5/28/08). "We're at the precipice of a disaster," says Scott Hamilton, an aviation consultant with Leeham in Issaquah, Wash.
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