Delta To Drop Boeing 737 Classics 09/15/2004 11:03:13 AM http://aviationnow.com/media/images/x.gifhttp://aviationnow.com/media/images/news/AIRLINES/Delta/dalshut1.jpg Delta plans to retire at least four fleet types and cut its fleet size by more than 100 planes, representing 20% of its total fleet in four years as part of its transformation plan, while also investing millions of dollars to upgrade the interiors of aircraft it plans to keep flying.
CEO Jerry Grinstein last week unveiled plans to simplify the fleet by retiring a minimum of four fleet types in four years. The DAILY has learned that the airline will first look to drop its 50 Boeing 737-200s, many of which were part of the acquisition of Western Air Lines. The carrier has 50 737-200s in service and two in storage, according to the Airclaims fleet database. Of the 52 planes, 46 are leased from several lessors, 26 of the latter from GE Capital Aviation Services.
Grinstein told The DAILY in Atlanta that he aims to drop the 737 "classics," which also includes the -300s. The airline has 26 -300s, all of which are leased to the airline. The -300s are ex-Germania planes that were once used in the Shuttle fleet and have 128 seats, compared with the -200s, which have 119 seats. The -300s are powered by CFM56 engines and the -200s by JT8D engines.
Sources also believe the airline will eventually look to drop its 15 older 767-200s, which have an average age of about 21 years, according to Airclaims. The 767-200s have 204 seats but are more expensive to operate than the 180-seat 757s. The 767-200s are all owned by Delta and operated with GE CF6 engines. The airline also may look to drop its fleet of 16 MD-90s, which are operate with different engines than its fleet of 120 MD-88s. The future is also a little cloudy about the airline's 13 MD-11s, all of which are grounded.
While simplifying its fleet may take time, the airline is moving ahead with upgrading its core fleet of MD-88s, 757s and 767-300s, which represent a little more than half of the total fleet. The one-time interior refurbishment aims to create a "new aircraft" standard. The first refurbished MD-88 will start flying this week. The changes include all-leather seats in first and economy class, new carpet, brighter reading lights and refurbished lavatories.
Grinstein said there is still debate internally if and how the airline should upgrade its inflight entertainment system. Delta invested in a new live satellite system across its Song fleet, but he is not convinced that it is the right move for the whole fleet. Grinstein also suggested providing power ports, as many passenger bring their own electronic devices on flights.
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CEO Jerry Grinstein last week unveiled plans to simplify the fleet by retiring a minimum of four fleet types in four years. The DAILY has learned that the airline will first look to drop its 50 Boeing 737-200s, many of which were part of the acquisition of Western Air Lines. The carrier has 50 737-200s in service and two in storage, according to the Airclaims fleet database. Of the 52 planes, 46 are leased from several lessors, 26 of the latter from GE Capital Aviation Services.
Grinstein told The DAILY in Atlanta that he aims to drop the 737 "classics," which also includes the -300s. The airline has 26 -300s, all of which are leased to the airline. The -300s are ex-Germania planes that were once used in the Shuttle fleet and have 128 seats, compared with the -200s, which have 119 seats. The -300s are powered by CFM56 engines and the -200s by JT8D engines.
Sources also believe the airline will eventually look to drop its 15 older 767-200s, which have an average age of about 21 years, according to Airclaims. The 767-200s have 204 seats but are more expensive to operate than the 180-seat 757s. The 767-200s are all owned by Delta and operated with GE CF6 engines. The airline also may look to drop its fleet of 16 MD-90s, which are operate with different engines than its fleet of 120 MD-88s. The future is also a little cloudy about the airline's 13 MD-11s, all of which are grounded.
While simplifying its fleet may take time, the airline is moving ahead with upgrading its core fleet of MD-88s, 757s and 767-300s, which represent a little more than half of the total fleet. The one-time interior refurbishment aims to create a "new aircraft" standard. The first refurbished MD-88 will start flying this week. The changes include all-leather seats in first and economy class, new carpet, brighter reading lights and refurbished lavatories.
Grinstein said there is still debate internally if and how the airline should upgrade its inflight entertainment system. Delta invested in a new live satellite system across its Song fleet, but he is not convinced that it is the right move for the whole fleet. Grinstein also suggested providing power ports, as many passenger bring their own electronic devices on flights.
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