Actually, in order to get out of the 717 leases, SWA had to pay for bringing every time limited part back to 50% of useful life on each 717, also new paint and new interiors to DAL specs. Approx cost per 717 is in the 2.7-3.2 million range that SWA has to spend to give them back to Boeing so DAL can lease them from Boeing at 43% of the annual lease cost that SWA was paying Boeing....... Those are the facts. 2013 end of year report.
Just sayin!
Verses introducing a second narrow-body fleet type to a business model that has long been built upon the flexibility and cost savings of a single type. Sometimes it costs money upfront to save a boatload in the out-years. There's a glut of cheap used 737-700s on the world market right now that SWA is taking advantage of. At this point, I would rather continue to enjoy the efficiencies of a single type, while ensuring any increases in FOCASM the company may accept are the result of more money going into my paycheck....instead of more money going into a new training program.
Just sayin!
(This issue has been beat to death...can we all just conclude it was a win-win for SWA
and Delta?)