Originally Posted by slowplay

From RA's own keyboard:

Q7. What is the latest with Delta’s fleet strategy? How do we plan to address our future fleet needs?
A. We continue to pursue an opportunistic fleet strategy that features acquisition and deployment of the most efficient aircraft available to meet the needs of our customers. We have employed this strategy to acquire both new and used aircraft to replace mainline (DC9s, older 757s) and regional (50-seat jets, Saab turboprops) aircraft. On the new side, we finalized a deal last summer with Boeing to purchase 100 new 737-900ER jets, which will begin delivery next year. On the used side, we have been buying MD-90s and will have 65 of these flexible, cost-efficient planes in service by the end of next year. You have probably also heard that the recent announcement of Delta’s tentative agreement with our pilots could provide the opportunity to accelerate the fleet strategy with the addition of 88 Boeing 717 aircraft to the mainline fleet, subject to pilot ratification of the agreement.