Originally Posted by av8tordude

The few B717 that DL will be acquiring is not enough to put a dent to reduce regional airline flying. Also, I could be wrong, but DL will be leasing the B717. Its easy to make a boat load of money when you don't have to make lease payments.

Also, an argument can be made in regards the ONE flight you took, but I don't think it adds an relevance to the OP's original question. In trying to stick to the original question, my posts were meant to offer an outside view of the U.S. airline industry as I see it living as an expat.