Originally Posted by
sailingfun
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.
In regards to NWA, their 757-300s are relatively young and are great for DL's mid-range high-density routes. Some of the A319s are young as well, as are the A330s. Delta's 737-7/8s still have plenty of life in them, as well as their MD90s and soon-to-be-Delta 717s.
Any word about the 767ER? I know Delta is working on making the interior up-to-date, so they probably have long term plans for those as well. I personally would guess that the 787 on order for 2020 will replace the 767ERs nicely.
(By the way, not asking this for any particular reason other than curiosity)