Maybe I can have a second opinion...
[Evolve Air] Route Phoenix Sky Harbor - Calgary
Distance 1.227 miles
Phoenix 40M pas
Calgary 12M pas
A319LR 110 seats and A318 126 seats have same max profit 100k/route. A320 with 179 seats has max profit 95k/same route.
I suppose profit is calculated based on fuel consumption, distance, size of airport and ticket pricing. However I find it unlikely that A320 brings less money?
I think it depends on the following factors:
- The maximum distance all aircraft can carry (I believe that the A319LR could be deployed for longer, less-than-tapped routes, while the A318 can be used for short, heavily-traveled routes, while the A320 can work better for cross-country trips)
- The fuel consumption on all aircraft involved (I believe that if there is less fuel consumption per mile on an aircraft, you can raise the prices while having a great profit and saving the environment)
- Ticket pricing is also a crucial factor in the process (remember the law of supply and demand: if the route is rated as "Excellent", then you can raise the prices if there are not a lot of airlines vying the route, while lowering or matching the competitors' prices if there are several airlines doing the same route).
I believe if possible, use the A318 for your YYC-PHX trip; it carries a lot of people in short distances, yet it could really maximize your profits at the same time.