Premium – EU-based Airbus single aisles for United?

Bloomberg has a great story on United Airlines possibly looking at pre-owned Airbus A319s and A320s.  The bankruptcy at Air Berlin and Monarch create opportunities for cash-flush airlines to bottom fish and acquire equipment at fire-sale prices.  As the story indicates there are several moving pieces – the story does not mention Monarch, which we think should be thrown into the mix.

Looking at the 2Q17 fleets are Air Berlin, EasyJet, and Monarch we have the following. If indeed United is shopping, they have some good opportunities.  But they are not alone.   Lufthansa and EasyJet are chasing deals among the Air Berlin fleet and got into this before United.