March 22, 2011
If blended winglets are so helpful then why aren’t they on more models?
Basically Ive seen the MD 80′s, 717s and some regional jets from airliners without them. I noticed american has them on their 757s but why not on their MD 80′s? Obvisously one reason would be cost but from what ive read about them they save in fuel cost and help with reduce lift induced drag and provide some extra lift.
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Filed under Gas Conservation FAQ by on Mar 22nd, 2011. Comment. 
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Comments on If blended winglets are so helpful then why aren’t they on more models?
1. There are no kits in existence to retrofit them.
2. The kits would cost more than the fuel savings
3. The winglets are designed for aircraft that fly long routes, the fuel savings isn’t enough to be justified on short range aircraft vs the cost to install and maintain the winglets
The cost of certifying the winglets must be made up by sales. If there aren’t a large number of the aircraft flying, they cannot be produced economically.
For the airline, the payback period may be longer than they intend to fly the airplane.
–Little or no benefit.
All the “cost” answers are more pertinent when you factor in time until retirement. Cost effectiveness is a function of how long the airplane is expected to remain in service and it is relatively easy to calculate the break-even point. You can be assured that all the airlines, except perhaps the ones facing imminent bankruptcy, have made those calculations and know when it is, and when it is not, viable to retrofit the aircraft with winglets or institute a development program for the aircraft for which they have not yet been approved. In short, the “bean counters” make the recommendations for management and the boards of directors to act upon. .