Delta Airlines Adds 88 Boeing 717 Jets to Fleet in 2013
Delta Airlines Boeing 717 (image courtesy of Delta Airlines)
Delta Air Lines will add 88 Boeing 717-200 aircraft to its fleet starting in 2013, an addition that will improve the efficiency of Delta’s operations and enhance the customer experience.
Delta has finalized an agreement with Southwest Airlines and Boeing for the Boeing 717s, which are currently in service at Southwest subsidiary AirTran Airways. The aircraft will begin delivery next year, with 16 scheduled to enter Delta’s fleet in 2013. An additional 36 will be delivered in 2014, and the remaining 36 in 2015.
The Boeing 717s will primarily replace small 50-seat regional jets on a capacity-neutral basis. The 110-seat aircraft will feature new, fully upgraded interiors, with 12 First Class seats, 15 Economy Comfort seats and in-flight WiFi throughout the aircraft. Seats in Economy will be arranged in a 2-3 configuration with just one middle seat per row.
“Adding the Boeing 717 to our fleet will give customers, particularly business travelers, more mainline aircraft service that features their preferred amenities,” said Delta CEO Richard Anderson. “The 717s also provide Delta with a significant improvement in economic efficiency relative to the aircraft they are replacing.”
The 717 initiative is the latest step in Delta’s domestic fleet optimization plan launched in 2010, focused on improving the profitability of the company and providing customers an industry-leading customer experience. Delta will begin taking delivery next year of new fuel-efficient state-of-the-art Boeing 737-900ER jets, which will primarily replace older Boeing 757 and 767 and Airbus A320 aircraft. Delta will add 100 new 737-900ERs between 2013 and 2018. In addition, Delta has upgraded its fleet with the addition of more than 80 MD-90 and two-class regional jets, retiring less efficient mainline and regional aircraft.
The newly acquired 717 aircraft continue Delta’s ongoing $3 billion investment in improving the customer experience on the ground and in the air. The improvements include investments in technology, employee training, aircraft upgrades and enhancements and expanded and enhanced airport facilities worldwide.
Delta Airlines
Category: Airnation
I hope Southwest fixes the fatigue cracking before Delta gets them… Fatigue cracking has found a great home at Southwest over the years!
Funny though, i doubt Delta will be keeping these 717′s for as long as they did the DC9-50′s. I’ve flown on the DC9, MD88, MD90 and 717, and the only one that keeps my ears from popping is the DC9. That thing was built air-tight! No fatigue cracking creating leaks, that’s for sure. It’s unfortunate the manufactures tried to “lighten” the airframe for the MD80 onwards, but i guess they were willing to trade cycles for less weight.
My understanding Chris is this lease will be temporary for Delta (temp as in 5-10 years) and then they plane to possibly purchase Embraers in the next 3 years.
Oh, interesting! Delta’s fleet is gonna be getting boring that quickly i guess :(
The Embraers are smaller planes…right guys?
Yepp, Delta (well, their code share partners) are currently flying the Embraer ERJ135/145 which is a small, rear engined twin-jet with a 1-2 seating configuration. Embraer then has the ERJ170/170/190 which is a wing mounted twin engine plane like a miniature A320…
Cute planes, but certainly not as reliable as the DC9!