Originally Posted by
n7371f
This really says something about the so-called low-cost leader Southwest Airlines and it's higher operating costs...Delta believes it can take the 717's and operate them and make money, whereas Southwest can't.
Delta is getting them for cheaper than Southwest is paying. For Delta to have taken the 717's in a deal it must have been a subsidized sublease.
Delta is trying to improve upon its regional coverage as a legacy carrier and business travellers in this nation are very dependent on those.
The 717's fit Delta's strategy. They do not fit Southwest's strategy. Plus it is a gradual multiyear phaseout for Southwest and phasein for Delta.
Delta will indeed have 100 737-900ER coming in for 2013 as well which are larger than the 737-800 that Southwest will be acquiring.
Though smaller than the 757-200's and the like that they will be replacing.
All good in the end.