squatch

it does: if you sit in a row number higher than 10 it's unbearably loud

warreng24

Hopefully someone at DL arranges a family portrait. @:-)

DC-9, MD-88, MD-90, and 717 (fka MD-95)

Congratulations DL.

javabytes

Please, no...

javabytes

^

3Cforme

That's not true at all. There's a clear reduction in noise footprint from the DC-9-50s to MD-88 to MD-90 to B-717.

beckoa

RIP DC9's

JimboM1391

Anyone know how many of these 717s are former TWA birds (if any)?

3Cforme

A quick look om planespotters.net suggests about twenty of FL's current eighty-eight 717s came via TWA. AirTran was taking delivery of 717s before TWA was, actually.

brillb

I think the 717's/MD-90/MD-88 are a great plane to ride in. Nice and spacious, and to point out the inverse of the "loud in the back" - they are incredibly quiet up front! You are so far from the engines all you get is wind noise going by outside. Only sad thing about the 717 is no more aft air stairs! Sorry, DB.

Also, didn't I read something about the air handling system on the 717, 100% fresh - no recirculation. Ah, here it is:
http://www.boeing.com/commercial/aer...y/fo01txt.html

GW McLintock

Indeed

Although the DC9s were most recently slated to be phased out completely by the end of 2013. I'm sure the 717s will have some impact on the schedule but they'll be coming in at the same time the 9s go.

One thing hasn't changed: their days are numbered.

-J.

FN-GM

What ever happened to the 717's that Mexicana had. Are they still stored? I think they are owned by boeing, you never know they could be used to top-up the DL 717 fleet.

BobRoss

Bummer. In general recirculated air means higher humidity = more pleasant ride.

Herb687

All you get is wind noise, TONS OF IT.

Anyone who claims the MD-80 is quiet up front must be sleeping the whole time the plane is above 10,000 ft. The MD-80 first class cabin is the noisiest of any mainline jet aircraft I've flown in recent years.

mg0901

I must have taken 50+ flights on Airtran when I lived in ATL... I actually like the 717s... Nice if you can get seats A and C if you're traveling in a pair.

adamj023

The BR715 engine is a larger version of the same engine used on Gulfstream business jets.

It is an absolutely amazing engine. AirTran had the 717s the whole time and had very high reviews and marks as well. There was nothing wrong with these planes, and in fact while they are giving away these planes, they are keeping their old 737 1st generation fleet in tact. They are essentially newer jets than the MD90s that Delta acquired which are also excellent.

So what happens here? Simple, Delta adds more seats for capacity with more fuel efficiency to replace regional jets.

Southwest moves to larger planes on the profitable routes while some routes get cut.

All this is a gradual phase in because Southwest can't just give up all 717's at one time.

It will be 3 planes a month starting in mid 2013, so 36 planes by mid 2014, 72 planes by mid 2015, and by 2016 the remaining planes.

This means what I thought initially: That Delta would migrate from regional jets and fly more mainline aircraft.

Just makes flying the friendly skies that much better for everyone. I really do like the impact this will have.

http://www.hkw.de/media/bilder/2011_...werk_BR715.jpg

Image of the BR715 rolls royce engine. Top notch plane, top notch engines, the newer Bombardiers and other planes aren't really better technically than the 717. Just newer and they were able to make them at cheaper pricepoints for entry, ie cost cutting.

Delta really will have nice planes on its hand. Can't wait to see these at LaGuardia and JFK Airports!