40 new CRJ-900s and 30 more options.

Still no word on where there going it looks like. We knew these were coming but somehow still gives me heartburn. I guess an RFP will be sent out soon.

Yup, likely to be based on who will do more 3:1 swaps of 50 seaters to new shiny RJ's

Don't worry guys, it's just a 3+ billion dollar deal on jets to be flown by pilots other than our own.....nothing new here

how much are we spending on 88 717s vs 40 CRJ-900s?

Dunno but they expect all of them (assuming 40) to be delivered in the next 12 months....while ours spread out over years

MONTREAL — Bombardier has secured an order for up to 70 CRJ900 NextGen regional jets from Delta Air Lines at a potential value of $3.29 billion U.S.

The Montreal-based aircraft manufacturer (TSX: BBD. B) says Delta has placed a firm order for 40 aircraft, valued at $1.85 billion U.S. based on current list prices.

The airline also has options for 30 more planes to be operated by Delta’s regional carriers.

The planes will be configured with 76 seats in a two-class cabin.

The contract was widely expected since Delta is a long-time Bombardier customer and has the world’s largest fleet of CRJs — Bombardier’s main line of jets for commercial airlines.

Delta Connection carriers currently fly 466 CRJ series aircraft, including 286 CRJ200, 79 CRJ700 and 101 CRJ900. Delta carrier Comair became the first North American airline to fly a CRJ100 in 1993.

The current CRJ900 planes are flown by Pinnacle Airlines, ExpressJet Airlines and SkyWest Airlines.

Delta president Ed Bastien said it selected Bombardier’s CRJ900 NextGen because it is a proven cost-efficient aircraft and is the right size to satisfy agreements with pilots to add 70 more of the jetliners to its fleet.

Bombardier (TSX: BBD. B) has now recorded firm orders for 1,775 CRJ aircraft, including 314 CRJ900 planes.

The regional jets are in service with more than 60 airlines in over 50 countries around the world.



Read more: Delta orders up to 70 Bombardier regional jets valued at $3.3 billion

Here is an excerpt from the contract, section 1.B.46: Exception one: If the Company establishes a fleet of new small narrowbody aircraft, the number of permitted 76-seat aircraft may increase on a one 76-seat aircraft for each one and one quarter new small narrowbody aircraft (1:1.25) ratio (rounded to the closest integer) up to a total of 223 76-seat aircraft.

To me, it looks like the company can order them and probably even take delivery BUT, until 50 717's (1:1.25) are delivered they cannot put them all into service. I don't want to do any more public math but, at 3 airframes a month starting around August of next year, wouldn't that be sometime around November 2014?

Am I reading it wrong? Wouldn't be surprised if I was.....

Denny