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Airtran 717s to fly for Delta?

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Continuation of the Airtran 717s to be flown by Delta? Thread

Gary Kelly won't discuss rumors that Delta will take its Boeing 717s


By

Terry Maxon/Reporter/aviationblog.dallasnews.com


5:11 PM on Wed., Mar. 21, 2012


Southwest Airlines picked up a fleet of 88 Boeing 717s when it acquired AirTran Airways last May. Chairman and chief executive officer Gary Kelly a few months later allowed that the 117-seat 717s didn't fit into Southwest's fleet type and that he'd rather fly only the bigger Boeing 737.
A rumor out of an industry meeting in Phoenix has Delta Air Lines as an interested acquirer of the AirTran aircraft. So we took the opportunity to ask Kelly during a media scrum Wednesday after Southwest's celebration of its first Boeing 737-800:

Us: Are you close to deal to send the Boeing 717s to Delta?
Kelly: "It's a rumor, so I don't comment on rumors."
Us: How about speculation?
Kelly: "I can't speculate, either."
Us: When do you think you might have closure on that rumor?
Kelly: "I can't comment. What I would say is that 717 is a fine airplane. We would be better suited with all 737s. If anything, we think our future is with bigger airplanes, not smaller. There's no secret that we're looking for a way to accelerate the retirement of the 717s out of our fleet. But in any event, we're going to operate the 717s for years. Otherwise, I'm aware of the rumors and I can't comment."

Last week at an investment conference, Delta president Ed Bastian carefully answered a question about Delta's possible interest in the AirTran 717s.

"We are looking at all arrangements, and we've taken note that Southwest has indicated a desire to exit the fleet," Bastian said at the J.P. Morgan conference. "I can't tell you whether that's going to be a decision Delta can take or not."





If you don't dump all of the 717s at once, I bet you will continue to fly them for YEARS, until they are handed over. It's called a phase out. This rumor still has legs...


Godspeed!


The OYSter
 
Who CLOSED the first thread? Over 6000 people looked at it. No more rumors are allowed? Look at the above article. It is stil relevant.


Godspeed!


The OYSter
 
Last edited:
No you got the title backwards this time.

The correct rumor is:

Delta 717s to be "*operated by: Air Tran Airways dba Southwest Airlines dba Delta Connection"
 
No you got the title backwards this time.

The correct rumor is:

Delta 717s to be "*operated by: Air Tran Airways dba Southwest Airlines dba Delta Connection"

There is a weight limit and seat limit for planes at DCI. Sorry.


Godspeed!


The OYSter
 
Airtran 717s going to Delta?

Gary Kelly won't discuss rumors that Delta will take its Boeing 717s



Terry Maxon/Reporter /aviationblog.dallasnews.com
5:11 PM on Wed., Mar. 21, 2012




Southwest Airlines picked up a fleet of 88 Boeing 717s when it acquired AirTran Airways last May. Chairman and chief executive officer Gary Kelly a few months later allowed that the 117-seat 717s didn't fit into Southwest's fleet type and that he'd rather fly only the bigger Boeing 737.
A rumor out of an industry meeting in Phoenix has Delta Air Lines as an interested acquirer of the AirTran aircraft. So we took the opportunity to ask Kelly during a media scrum Wednesday after Southwest's celebration of its first Boeing 737-800:

Us: Are you close to deal to send the Boeing 717s to Delta?
Kelly: "It's a rumor, so I don't comment on rumors."
Us: How about speculation?
Kelly: "I can't speculate, either."
Us: When do you think you might have closure on that rumor?
Kelly: "I can't comment. What I would say is that 717 is a fine airplane. We would be better suited with all 737s. If anything, we think our future is with bigger airplanes, not smaller. There's no secret that we're looking for a way to accelerate the retirement of the 717s out of our fleet. But in any event, we're going to operate the 717s for years. Otherwise, I'm aware of the rumors and I can't comment."

Last week at an investment conference, Delta president Ed Bastian carefully answered a question about Delta's possible interest in the AirTran 717s.

"We are looking at all arrangements, and we've taken note that Southwest has indicated a desire to exit the fleet," Bastian said at the J.P. Morgan conference. "I can't tell you whether that's going to be a decision Delta can take or not."


Godspeed!


The OYSter
 
Last edited:
You really need another thread just for this?


Where did the other ones (2)go? The first one was closed for NO reason. Then I put up a second one, and it was erased. WHY IS THAT? More than 6000 people viewed the first one, and it is still relevant. This article above came out today. What is the big deal? Who has hurt feelings?


Godspeed!


The OYSter
 
Last edited:
Yes I think AirTran will be the next Delta Connection carrier. 717 service from coast to coast will compliment Delta's existing domestic crj route network nicely.
 
Yes I think AirTran will be the next Delta Connection carrier. 717 service from coast to coast will compliment Delta's existing domestic crj route network nicely.


Even though there are weight restrictions and seat restrictions on DCI planes, you may be right!


Godspeed!


The OYSter
 
Really, why was the first thread closed? I didn't see anything in it that remotely qualfied as an "infraction".

NU
 
Really, why was the first thread closed? I didn't see anything in it that remotely qualfied as an "infraction".

NU

The sad thing is I posted this same article about 20 minutes afterward, and it too was gone. I am surprised this one is still here. I hope some moderators aren't trying to "protect" their airline and dump anything they perceive as Anti-SWA. This is just an article about a rumor.


Godspeed!


The OYSter
 
I other thread was closed because the thread became a back and forth from On Your Six versus the forum. Stick to facts, opinions and less thread creep.
 
That's not productive...you guys just allowed one guy to shut down a thread 6,000 people were reading. What is the point of that?
 

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