There have been rumors at Airliners.net that Delta is interested in acquring China Southern's MD-90s. While this may seem weird at first, it somewhat makes some sense. These MD-90s can be used to expand mainline services from SLC and free up 737-800s elsewhere. Alitalia744 at A.net said that it is possible, and he has been right on past information. Does anyone have additional information on this? If this is true, this would nearly double the size of Delta's MD-90 fleet.

Initially Delta had a large order for the MD-90 to replace the 727 fleet, but then Delta then cancelled their remaining MD-90 orders in favor of the 737-800. Despite the initial problems with the MD-90s, Delta values them for their superior hot-and-high performance at SLC as compared with the MD-88. As stated, Delta could free up some 737-800s elsewhere if they acquire China Southern's MD-90s.

Of special note, China Southern's MD-90s are not equipped with IFE. I wonder if Delta would add IFE to these aircraft or not. I don't see Delta adding PTVs to any of the MD-90s (neither the current MD-90 fleet nor any additional ones), as most of their routes are too short to warrant Delta's Transcon product. Since Delta is installing PTVs on some of the 737-800s, maybe Delta can use the existing system from the 737-800s and add it to the China Southern MD-90s.