RobertS975

According to a report on Bloomberg News.

http://leehamnews.wordpress.com/2011...rder-737-900s/

Edited to add: These aircraft do not appear to be re-engined. They are available relatively quickly. They might be replacements for B757s as they are close in range and capacity.

nystateofmind

Capacitywise they would be similar to a 757 (though if Delta is going to put more than 16 in F you will probably see a loss of about 10-15 seats versus a 757) but the range/hot and high performance are not as good as the 757. Would be ideal though for the frequent flights Delta has between ATL-BOS/LGA/Florida and midcons where the range of the 757 is not used to its full potential

DLdweeb

Probably the Caribbean routes as well.....

DL2SXM

why wouldnt they go with the RE option? Doesn't make much sense for a brand new plane. You figure it would make economical sense to wait for the RE's to become available.

pbarnette

The article stated that deliveries could begin as early as 2013, which is probably at least 3 years before the NEO or a re-engined 737 will enter service.

Considering that Delta had previously stated that they were looking at 100-200 narrow bodies + 200 options, they may be looking for the 100 reported here as a near-term solution and the other 200-300 orders/options will be for a re-engined plane.

mersk862

Add in that these planes can do pretty much every route in the network, with the exception of NYC-West Coast and Hawaii flights. It's a very versatile plane that can be picked up pretty quickly. This will allow the older 757s and A320s to start to retire.

The next wave of orders will likely have something in the 100-140 seat category to finish off this round of network renewal. These will likely start around 2013-2015 and be geared toward replacing the DC-9-50s, MD-88s and the latter ones taking care of the early A319s possibly.

The final wave of orders will likely wait a few years to see what Boeing/Airbus do besides a re-engine. The 757s doing TATL flying can last until 2020-2025 (low cycles, newer builds) so the need to replace these isn't as high.

3Cforme

Both companies had some old 757s coming into the merger. Planespotters.net shows fifty-seven 757-200s delivered more than twenty years ago today. One hundred new aircraft is a good start. DL could take four a month and receive the full order before the very first 320NEO is delivered.

I don't think the 737-900ERs will come into Delta service with 26F seats as DL has been trying for the 757s. I predict something awful, like 16F 162Y. DL new mainline deliveries have generally gone into service with full AVOD for some time now. Perhaps AC power will make it beyond F and into Y.

PowerFlyer

First off: Great to hear that DL is getting new jets--really is good news. The 739ER makes perfect sense, actually: slightly more efficient than 757 and 320 (on a CASM basis) for the missions that the 757s and 320s usually fly.

Remember, that between the TWA 75s, the 753s and the final set of 752s that NWA got, there is a substantial fleet of 757s that will run for another 10+ years. You'll still see those on TATL, inter-pacific, Hawaii, and hot and high cities.

Let me be the first to point out the potential negatives here:

Less First...

If you use CO as the comparison, we're looking at 4 or 6 fewer F seats per aircraft:

Y: the CO 739ER has 159 Y seats, which is the same as the 2 PMDL versions and 1 less than Song (75X) birds.

F: the CO 739ER has 20 F seats, which is 4 less than the standard PMDL version and 6 less than the Song jets.

No more 2L

The second door makes the 757 hands down the best narrow body jet in the fleet. I know I'm going to get flamed for this, but I really loved the private cabin feel of the 757 and every time we leave from one of the LAX gates with a shorter jetway I am reminded of this. (and yes for the record, I realize there will still be a 2L, but it won't be the boarding door).

Phil2016

Let's hope it is >16F, otherwise a big to DL. CO has 20F on their -900s.

sxf24

The 737-900ER can fly NYC-West Coast and LAX/SEA-Hawaii.

MachOne

...and best of all, they are Boeing's.

MO

jacksafar

I'm reminded of this every time I go on a 763 now. Man it sucks having 250 people bump into your seat....

N830MH

Wow! I didn't see it coming. Congratulations to DL is success to orders the 737-900ER. Why DL didn't have to order A320neo or A319neo? I thought DL will be very successful to order the A320neo. Oh well! Better luck for next time.

WidgetKid

I agree that this is a great thing for DL and an airplane that fits them very well. I really hope they decide to go for more than 16 F though; that would just blow.

As to why they didn't go for the NEO, I think it has more to do with the timeframe than with the airplane itself. DL could recieve this entire order and start retiring 75's before the first NEO even rolls off the production line.

sectflyer

Can the 739 be configured with a 2L loading door? How about a 321?