232LR: an excellent handle and welcome! I expect them eventually to arrive.

Delta took a write-off a couple of years ago for accelerated retirement of the leased MD11s and the MD90s. Seven MD11s are leased and eight are owned, but I expect the whole fleet will go within a short time once Delta can afford it.

That will depend on a lot of factors -- used aircraft market (MD11s likely to go to freight operators), Boeing's willingness to cut a further deal, and Delta's ability to squeak out a profit....

Currently Delta has eight 777s with five more on firm order through 2005 and 12 on option through 2005, with an additional eight after 2005 and 19 on rolling option for later. (See the Delta Annual Report for details; fleet info is on the last page.)

These would be the planes to replace the MD11s. Delta's deal with Boeing gives them great flexibility to change models and timing. (If you want to try to figure it out for yourself, most of the relevant parts are in an SEC filing from six or seven years ago. I can look for a URL if you're interested.)

My information is all from public sources. There are other posters here who may have more up to date info, and more access to insider info.

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"Service" should be a noun, not a verb.
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