mersk862

I am pretty sure that there's now an A319/A320 pilot base out of NYC, which would allow for much easier scheduling of the Airbus fleet out of there.

Not 100% sure, but I think all fleet types except for the 744 and 777 have a pilot base in NYC (which covers all three of the airports).

Deadtail

I get the feeling that Menton1 has his mind made up and there's no amount of logic that's going to change that.

On another note, during the summer I flew LAX-NRT and they swapped my upgraded 747 with lie flats for a pre upgrade version with the older style BE interior. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it looks like Delta is going back to the old style interior again.

Deadtail

Looks like Delta is retiring the 747 and 777.

menton1

The only thing my mind is made up about is that the MD88s are gone from the 3 NY airports for the foreseeable future. I was just pining for a 738 or 9. Where's the bad logic in that?

I believe they got all their 744s from the NW merger. So it's not a surprise that they are going away. Don't understand about the 777s though. Used to love going to and from Paris on those.

james318

First of all, there are still flights on MD88's from all three NYC airports. Just a cursory glance at the timetable shows some to MCO, MSP, and MIA. That was research that took me about a minute to accomplish.

There may be a drop off in MD88 flying from NYC (I don't know) but that in no way means they are being retired. They are being used out of other bases. It makes sense to consolidate equipment types at bases.

And sarcasm appears to be lost on you. Delta is not doing away with the 744's and 777's anytime soon. They just spent millions refurbishing the 744 fleet with new lie flat seats in Business, and nose to tail avod. The 777's are very new and a backbone of Delta's international operations.

FlyDeltaJets87

I'm not sure. I seem to recall this too - certain markets with high RJ frequency would be replaced with reduced frequency on the 717s, but I could be completely making that up. IIRC the DC-9-50s are on the way out. 717s would be perfect replacements on the routes seeing DC-9-50s right now, but I'm not sure if that if DL's plan.

Either way, the MD-88s won't be going anywhere for a while thankfully. My CVG-LGA flight at Christmas was switched from an MD-88 to an A320, which I'm a little bummed about. That's not any indication the MD-88s are going anywhere. I mean, my TPA-DTW flight in January was just switched from a 737-800 to an MD-90. Does that mean the 737-800s are on their way out too? No.

FlyDeltaJets87

The same reason AA doesn't run any MD-80s to Miami, despite its extensive MD-80 fleet. Means one less pilot base. One less base to keep spare parts.

Delta also doesn't run a single 757 to CVG. Does that mean that DL is retiring the 757? The logic you're coming up with is quite amusing.

N639DL

Technically some of the older 757s will be going as the new 739s are coming in next year. There are some that are younger that will be staying for a while.

I agree - if a a/c type isn't at a certain station anymore then it's being retired is illogical.

DL2SXM

the MD88 is one of my fav planes for when I am stuck in coach. The side with only 2 seats is better then any 757/767/737 in coach.

rylan

I wish the A320 was going away first.

DTWflyer

DC-9-50: The small number of frames ~19 still in service will largely remain in service through 2013 and into 2014, as a bridge until 717s come online in sufficient numbers. The DC-9s are primarily on shorter mainline routes of ATL, a limited amount at DTW.

MD-88: Plan to remain in the fleet through at least 2017-2019

A320: The oldest frames will start to cycle out of the fleet in 2014-2015 as the 737-900ERs join the fleet. The newer frames and the A319s (which are all 1999 or newer) will be around for many more years

757: The oldest domestic frames will start to cycle out of the fleet in 2013-2015 as the 737-900ERs join the fleet. Newer 757s, the ETOPS fleet, and 753s will be around for many more years

767-300 (domestic/non-ER): The domestic/non-ER 763s will all be retired within the next 3 years as the 737-900ER capacity comes on-line. The 753s will assume the roll than the domestic 763 currently fills in the fleet.

Deadtail

If I had to guess, there are going to be MD or 717 planes in the fleet after the last 320 is gone. I think the 319's are newer though so they may be around a bit longer.

beckoa

Agree with this 100.01%

Good to hear- wonder if its any 753's as those operating ex-Hawaii have seen better days.

Wish we could keep the DC9 for a bit longer- seems DL keeps extending the timeline at least Maybe its last flight will be in the 2020's [doubtful with all the Boeing orders]

Zomba

It is amazing that the oldest DL DC9s are 37 and yet are pleasant to fly, while some of the Airbii narrow bodies less than half the age are terrible. DC built flying tanks and I, for one, will miss them.

Of course, two of my life's greatest regrets are never experiencing Kai Tak or the 707, so I might be abnormal

DTWflyer

The 757-300s are the youngest 757s in the fleet, all delivered in 2002-2003. They will be getting and interior refurbishment and supposedly PTVs in 2014/2015, as they will be assuming the role of the domestic 763s and doing more Hawaii.

There are a handful of old 757-200s that do West Coast-Hawaii; these will be leaving the fleet sooner rather than later.

The DC-9s were completely overhauled in the late 90's with new interiors, then got the DL seat covers and carpet when they were converted over after the merger.

The older A320s aren't much different, as they got the Delta-ized a few years ago, but the hard surfaces in the cabin date back to their delivery date in the late 80s/early 90s.