Originally Posted by
Gone Flying
My understanding is
-A35Ks are delayed until 2027, and some will replace 767s, so not all growth
-73m10 delayed UFN, still not certified, 73n pilots have not seen even started max training, which needs to be done by everyone before Entry to service
-we will get some 321Ns, those will replace some 757s and 320s as they have been.
-I was told recently the 321 lie flats will need to get a new seats as the current ones are not certifiable. I think we raided the engines from those planes due to P&W issues.
- aren’t the 220s still significantly delayed? will we get more than a dozen in 2026?
- a WB “top off” order would just be replacing the 60 or so 767s we have, moving existing pilots to a new plane and simplifying the fleet. No real growth.
seems like 500-750 new pilots would be in the ballpark.
No A35K is replacing a 767. 35K’s will release 359’s for more growth. The 764’s are not retiring anytime soon.
7M10 expected to be certified in 2026. When it does, Delta has proven it can ramp up hiring instantly to meet needs. There will be a ton of growth here.
If you think they’re going to retire a 757 for every A321N that arrives then you’re correct - but they won’t. The 757’s will last into mid 2030’s.
Airbus has been able to double the production capacity of the 220. This fleet is pure growth until 717’s are parked (no time soon).
The 20 options would be pure growth - which is was the original 20 35K’s are.. pure growth. The 35K will also return DL to Singapore, India, middle-east, etc. and increasing capacity on SYD, JNB, ICN, LHR.. allowing a lot of 359’s to deployed elsewhere when those come.
A 50-60 787-10 order plus option will replace the 763’s and options for growth. This will cause massive growth in the WB paying fleet + capacity increase. Similar to how much of UA’s 787 order is majority replacement - as 2026 is the last year until United begins to retire the 767’s and older 777’s.