Originally posted by wtlwdwgn More's the pity too. I understand there are operators looking for a replacement and Boeing doesn't yet have one. I thought I read somewhere that a narrow body built like the 78 was in the works but that's been some time ago.
Actually, they do. As passenger airlines retire 20 year old 737's they are getting reconfigured as freighters. These smaller airplanes can serve a need for the short haul freight, overnight delivery stuff, and the 'gotta have it yesterday' smaller quantity loads.
They expect to get another 20 years out of planes originally designed to only get as many years of passenger service.
Airplanes are the semi trucks of the sky.
Rework them a bit, put on a fresh coat of paint, fresh engines and a new set of tires and out they go.