Originally Posted by
Mesabah
Looking at the way things are going, I would say the 717's are replacing the current 76 seat jet routes(former DC9), while the new and newer 76 seat jets will be replacing the 50 seat jets on most of their current routes. In other words, Delta is simply up-sizing its fleet instead of shifting flying back to mainline, but scope relief takes time. You will know the answer to this if the next Dal TA has more 76 seat jets in it, but with shorter route limits vs block hour limits.
Except the amount of DCI seats leaving via 50 seaters exceeds what is coming in via additional 76 seaters. Also, with 300+ 50 seaters and 255 large RJs the DCI fleet currently sits at 550+ airframes. So we will be seeing more mainline flying & less DCI flying, mainly through a reduction in total DCI airframes and seats.