Originally Posted by
FlyGuy2021
Delta is already putting regional jets on their list. They are the 220's. The more 220s they add, the fewer 50-76 seat regional jets they need.
They can cut service to a "regional" city from 7 RJ flights down to 4-5 220 flights, move more passengers, fewer pilots needed, and on the mainline certificate.
A slower, gradual replacement.
You're not wrong; if you used to work where I worked there are quite a few places where we parked our band new CRJ900s right next to 717s (haven't seen a 220 yet).
But if they want to operate 76 seat aircraft, I'm of the position that outsourced carriers aren't going to be able to staff appropriately sooner rather than later.