Originally Posted by
shiznit
Delta cannot replace the loss of 150-180 50 seat ASM's on an equal basis with only about 40-50 of the 76's that will be at DCI by that point. Yes there is an increase of seats in the 76's, but the reduced total airframes means the number of segments beyond 900SM is reduced, and the short segments the 50's flew still need to be served, additionally, the 717's will be poaching the "heavier" routes that 76's used to operate, pushing more RJ's onto less productive (by ASM) city pairs.
717s replace 76 replace 70 replace 50 and 50s just disappear.
[B]Glen Hauenstein Executive Vice President of Marketing, Network Planning & Revenue Management
Well, we started to retire 50-seat equipment, and we're accelerating that as we get to the third and fourth quarter. That will -- the continuation, we will continue to have reductions in regional equipment. That is mostly being replaced by existing equipment. But as we get into the third and fourth quarters, we begin to take deliveries of the 717s. The 717s will start to replace a lot of the 76-seaters, which will replace the 50-seaters. So think of it as kind of a reverse cascade in terms of gauge. And as Richard mentioned and Ed mentioned, the actual fleet number despite -- will be down about 2% despite the fact that capacity is up 2% (note: down in first half 2013, up 2% in last half 2013 and +1% overall). And that will not only provide a better product for our customers, but some cost relief or cost assistance as the gauge continues to increase.
But we also dumped a lot of turboprop routes that were being flown by 50 seaters and I guess dump frequency.
Separate question, I know there's some long domestic routes where we like to use 763ERs, I wonder if as the 757s cycle out we'll see a lot more of that and new 330s take the 763ERs place? Because I'm not up to speed on the 76ER fleet but didn't they stop some of the retrofitting of crew rest facilities and winglets?