Latest 717 rumor: DL deal in place
May 22, 2012, 10:08 am
#106
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The FL config has 21 rows of Y. If they took out one row, that leaves 20 rows: 3 rows of EC and 17 rows of E-. They could make the pitch on the 17 E- seats 31" to match the rest of the fleet and make the pitch 34" for the three rows of EC. That would require 29", while they would have 30" from removing the row of Y.
That's the only way I can see this being a viable plane for DL to fly. I know plenty of tall ATL-based pax that avoid FL just for their horrible pitch.
That's the only way I can see this being a viable plane for DL to fly. I know plenty of tall ATL-based pax that avoid FL just for their horrible pitch.
May 22, 2012, 10:28 am
#107
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It's official... DL press release: http://news.delta.com/index.php?s=43&item=1624
-J.
Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) will begin taking delivery of Boeing 717 aircraft as early as 2013 upon ratification of a new tentative agreement covering Delta's more than 12,000 pilots. The tentative agreement was approved on May 21 by the Master Executive Council (MEC) of the Delta Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), and now will be presented to pilots for review and ratification through June 30.
If ratified, the agreement will accelerate Delta's domestic fleet restructuring strategy. To this end, Delta has reached an agreement in principle with Southwest Airlines and Boeing to lease 88 Boeing 717 aircraft currently in service at Southwest subsidiary AirTran Airways that is conditioned upon pilot ratification of the tentative agreement. The aircraft will primarily replace inefficient 50-seat regional jets and some older DC-9 aircraft still in service, on a capacity-neutral basis.
The tentative agreement also provides Delta with additional flexibility to acquire up to 70 larger two-class, 76-seat regional jets as the Boeing 717 aircraft are delivered to Delta. Delta currently operates 255 larger two-class regional jets; the fleet will be increased to 325 aircraft.
The tentative agreement also provides Delta with additional flexibility to acquire up to 70 larger two-class, 76-seat regional jets as the Boeing 717 aircraft are delivered to Delta. Delta currently operates 255 larger two-class regional jets; the fleet will be increased to 325 aircraft.
- ^ goodbye 50-seaters!
RIP DC-9s 
MORE RJs?
-J.
May 22, 2012, 10:31 am
#109
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Oh, and it's nice to be right once in a while (even if my wife's not around to see!)
^
May 22, 2012, 10:38 am
#112
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So that's a perfect match for what I predicted. FL has 12F and 105Y... If you made the first 3 rows EC (15EC), that would leave 90Y seats if they weren't removing a row. So they must be taking out a row, plus 2 additional Y seats. Good news for all!
Oh, and it's nice to be right once in a while (even if my wife's not around to see!)
Oh, and it's nice to be right once in a while (even if my wife's not around to see!)
Bob H
May 22, 2012, 10:41 am
#113
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: ATL
Posts: 637
I have a friend in TechOps, and he confirmed DL is planning to acquire the WN 717s.
DL needs an aircraft smaller than the MD-88, but larger than the RJs for certain markets and certain frequency requirements.
Last year DL, along with their 737-900ER planned purchase, was flirting with a smaller aircraft buy, with speculation they would buy the Bombardier C-Series. When DL announced only the 737-900ER, it led to some confusion. Apparently, DL's discussions with Boeing revealed Boeing was planning to take WN's 717s back as part of the WN 737MAX order.
As for commonality, it is really not that important if DL buys a significant number of tails. The 717 simulators are already in ATL, and will be part of the deal. There is enough similarity with the PMNW DC-9s, although the avionics of the 717 are not common to the MD-88s or DL's MD-90s. DL's MD-88s and MD-90s share a common type rating, which is important given the small numbers of MD-90s in DL's fleet.
As for rumors of modifying the cockpits of MD-88s and MD-90s, that does not make a lot of sense to me. I don't understand what the ROI would be. Perhaps modding the MD-90s in order to allow DL to buy up the later MD-90s with the newer, B-717 cockpits, but you are talking tens of millions of dollars to mod over 100 MD-88s and get them recertified by the FAA. After the DC-9, the MD-88s are the oldest aircraft in DL's fleet. They are also, after the DC-9, the least fuel efficient.
DL needs an aircraft smaller than the MD-88, but larger than the RJs for certain markets and certain frequency requirements.
Last year DL, along with their 737-900ER planned purchase, was flirting with a smaller aircraft buy, with speculation they would buy the Bombardier C-Series. When DL announced only the 737-900ER, it led to some confusion. Apparently, DL's discussions with Boeing revealed Boeing was planning to take WN's 717s back as part of the WN 737MAX order.
As for commonality, it is really not that important if DL buys a significant number of tails. The 717 simulators are already in ATL, and will be part of the deal. There is enough similarity with the PMNW DC-9s, although the avionics of the 717 are not common to the MD-88s or DL's MD-90s. DL's MD-88s and MD-90s share a common type rating, which is important given the small numbers of MD-90s in DL's fleet.
As for rumors of modifying the cockpits of MD-88s and MD-90s, that does not make a lot of sense to me. I don't understand what the ROI would be. Perhaps modding the MD-90s in order to allow DL to buy up the later MD-90s with the newer, B-717 cockpits, but you are talking tens of millions of dollars to mod over 100 MD-88s and get them recertified by the FAA. After the DC-9, the MD-88s are the oldest aircraft in DL's fleet. They are also, after the DC-9, the least fuel efficient.
May 22, 2012, 11:16 am
#116
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May 22, 2012, 11:25 am
#117
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Yes, it's official.
Delta to Add Boeing 717 Aircraft to its Fleet
Delta to Add Boeing 717 Aircraft to its Fleet
As part of its domestic fleet restructuring plan, Delta Airlines announced it will add 88 Boeing 717 aircraft to its fleet starting in 2013. The aircraft will be leased from Southwest Airlines and will replace 50-seat regional jets and some older DC-9 aircraft.
The Boeing 717 is a twin-engine, single-aisle aircraft designed by McDonnell Douglas
<SNIP>
The Boeing 717 is a twin-engine, single-aisle aircraft designed by McDonnell Douglas
<SNIP>
May 22, 2012, 11:29 am
#118
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I believe it was official way back in post #23... 
It's official... DL press release: http://news.delta.com/index.php?s=43&item=1624
May 22, 2012, 11:41 am
#119
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I can, however, see them refitting the cockpits to bring a common type rating to the MD-88/90/
I'm curious to see if DL swapped out some 738 delivery positions with WN, as was rumored a few months ago...
May 22, 2012, 12:20 pm
#120
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There are only a handful of MD-90s with the MD-11/MD-95 717 cockpits (25 seems to be the number that sticks out in my head). DL wouldn't spend the money refitting their entire MD-88 and MD-90 fleets for a small number of planes.
I can, however, see them refitting the cockpits to bring a common type rating to the MD-88/90/95 717 fleets.
I'm curious to see if DL swapped out some 738 delivery positions with WN, as was rumored a few months ago...
I can, however, see them refitting the cockpits to bring a common type rating to the MD-88/90/
I'm curious to see if DL swapped out some 738 delivery positions with WN, as was rumored a few months ago...