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View Full Version : Delta to add MD-88's to Shuttle Fleet



T-Bird76
2005-08-11, 07:24 PM
Just announced today Delta will add nine MD-88 aircraft to the Shuttle fleet. They'll be configured in all coach configuration like the 737's. The MD's will go into Shuttle service on Nov 1.

Offical Delta press release.
http://news.delta.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=9832

cancidas
2005-08-11, 09:51 PM
they're only adding 14 seats total. then again, when you consider the walk-up fares those 14 seats add up to a lot. it's going to be a welcome sight at LGA that's for sure.

- i wonder if they are going to be adding "shuttle" titles to the airplanes.

- is the 737 fleet going to be completely replaced by the MD-80s?

T-Bird76
2005-08-11, 10:00 PM
No there just adding to the fleet, not replacing the 737's

tipek
2005-08-12, 11:43 AM
My understanding is that they will replace 737s. They don't need 21 airplanes flying Shuttle between NY-Boston-DC.

Rafal

cancidas
2005-08-12, 11:51 AM
that's what i figured, that they're replacing the 737s. if they do that though, what are they going to have the boeings doing? are they going to be returned to the mainline fleet?

jakbar
2005-08-12, 11:52 AM
My understanding is that they will replace 737s. They don't need 21 airplanes flying Shuttle between NY-Boston-DC.

Rafal

That is my understanding as well. I've heard that the plan is to phase out and retire all of the 732s, 733s and 762s within the next two years, with the exception of the several 733s with glass cockpits, which will likely be sold or leased (I'm not sure if Delta owns those outright).

Does this mean that the Mad Dogs are on the Shuttle routes for good? If so, that'd be awesome!

Josh

cancidas
2005-08-12, 11:56 AM
that would be awewsome!! what's funny is that they are replacing newer airplanes with older ones. then again, i can understand that they want to get rid of the ones they don't own outright and replace them with the ones they do. cheaper...

tipek
2005-08-12, 12:48 PM
The "new" DL 733s are flying exclusively on Shuttle flights.
Delta has 26 B737-300s.
-15 of them are leased
-11 owned/paid for
-12 of them are flying for Shuttle (right now 11, because N221DL is stored)
- with 14 737-300 based in SLC (which are older models acquired from Western during merger).

Rafal

PhilDernerJr
2005-08-12, 01:50 PM
I'd hate to see the 737s go. I see the same tail numbers a lot and have formed pathetic bonds with many of them.

I'm not a fan of DL MD-88s. :(

*sad*

LGA777
2005-08-12, 02:48 PM
The shuttle birds are a separate sub fleet not just because of their Shuttle titles and one class cabin. They are called 733G's at DL as they have the glass cockpit while the rest of DL 733's have the more common round dial cockpits. My guess is when the MD-88's arrive these birds will either be stored or returned to lessors !

Ron Peel

IslipWN
2005-08-19, 03:34 AM
Whats the sitch with the 732's?