Talk to some people from Garuda..which already in negotiating with Boeing on cancellation of MAX..their option are:
1. Changing their order to other Boeing airplane..with talk on 787 for their regional routes.
2. Maintain their 737 800 for few more years than plan, while wait for delivery slot on A320 or A220 for replacing their local/national routes.
They can go either way or combination of both options. But yes, it's the damage reputation of MAX that make several loyal 737 customers thinking in ditching it on their future plan.
Garuda is the only one so far that already officially stated they are ditching MAX. However, I understand there are several other airlines (that used to be 737 loyal customers) on talk with Airbus on 320 or 220 as alternative. Personally, I do tend 220 will become attractive alternative..since 320/321 backlog orders already long.. while Airbus is building new facility in US for 220 that add existing Bombardier facility for 220.
If not mistaken in term of capacity and range, 220 is closer to either MAX or 320 compared to E series.
Wondering if China or Russia new narrow bodies can take advantage on this too. Doubt it can take much outside Chinese or Russian Airlines..but if these 737 MAX saga continues to second half of this year..well you never knows.
Boeing perhaps should speed up 797 as their alternative to MAX.
