Originally Posted by
skylover
Hi all,
(I figured folks who frequent this thread will be able to answer my question)
Obviously Delta has ordered 100 737-900ERs. However, those can't possibly be enough to replace the hundreds of aging 757, 767, A319, A320, and MD88 aircraft that Delta currently has. What is the plan in terms of fleet renewal? Maybe they'll pull an American and try to standardize their domestic fleet to just a couple types?
Over the next 4 to 5 years Delta has 208 new airframes on firm order or already purchased awaiting mod lines. Those are all narrow bodies. They are planning a wide body order for the last quarter of this year. I would expect that at some point when the 900ER orders are ending a NEO or Max order will be placed. The economy will determine the retirement schedule of the current aircraft. Many of the 757's were purchased from 96 to 01 and are not that old. The 757 is planned in the fleet to 2025.
As far as fleet standardization Delta can't seem to decide what they want. 6 years ago they stated they could not survive unless they got down to 3 aircraft types. Then the merger with NW happened and now they are on a buying surge with the apparent attempt to purchase every oddball aircraft available.