It has today been announced that Delta will retire all Boeing 777s by the end of 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.This is part of Delta’s strategy of simplifying and modernizing their fleet, while continuing to operate newer and more cost-efficient aircraft.. Delta has a fleet of 18 Boeing 777s, including eight 777-200ERs, and 10 Boeing 777-200LRs. With Ed Bastian stating on the second-quarter earnings call that the airline is “taking the industry’s most conservative approach to capacity,” it is highly unlikely that Delta rebuilds its route network until 2023. Essentially, where Delta currently does not want to fly because of reduced demand is where the 767s are flying. But, given the current trajectory, it is looking like a rough road for the airline’s regional network. Delta has taken delivery of several new A321s and A350s from Airbus in recent weeks, according to a recent J.P.  Morgan report. These planes were outfitted with 12 seats in first class, 18 in Comfort+, and 94 in standard economy. Delta retiring all Boeing 777s. Delta only has 18 Boeing 777s. […] Delta will retire the MD-88 and MD-90 aircraft earlier than previously planned, with both aircraft types exiting the fleet effective June 2020. “The retirement will accelerate the airline’s strategy to simplify and modernize its fleet, while continuing to operate newer, more cost-efficient aircraft,” Delta DAL, -0.86% said. Deputy Content Manager & Lead US Journalist - Jay’s extensive travels and experience with premium products has given him incredible insight into the wider landscape of commercial aviation. A Delta Boeing 777 stays put in storage at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport on May 1. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Looking ahead, Delta will be taking on over 60 A220s and 120 A321ceos and A321neos. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page. Down the line, incoming Airbus A330-900neos could take over some of those routes as demand starts to grow. In addition, a few smaller numbers of Boeing 767-300ERS and Airbus A320 aircraft will also be retired this year. Alongside its second-quarter earnings results, Delta Air Lines announced that it would be pursuing the retirement of some aircraft. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Airline executives say the changes are needed to slash expenses amid the historic drop in air travel and will make their respective carriers more efficient when the threat of COVID-19 passes. The airline recently retired the last of its MD-88s and MD-90s, and its Boeing 777s will follow later this year. The airline will reap savings from streamlining its jets around common Airbus models, not to mention the many latest-generation models that are arriving. The airline has loved all of its 767s and placed them on a large number of services, including long-haul international to destinations like Amsterdam and Buenos Aires to domestic transcontinental between New York-JFK and Los Angeles to hops down to South America such as between Atlanta and Bogota. More on Delta’s 777 retirement: https://t.co/zRa1PJqqus, — Edward Russell (@byerussell) September 23, 2020. Those planes could easily take over that lost capacity– especially the A220-300s. Not the entire fleets, just portions of those fleets. While it accelerated the retirement of its McDonnell Douglas MD-88s and MD-90s to June 2, it has also decided to remove its 18 Boeing 777s — many of which were relatively young as airplanes go and had been recently outfitted with its latest onboard product. Delta to retire MD-88, MD-90 fleets in June. Northwest brought Airbus A320 and A330 family jets to the fold; not to mention a CEO, Richard Anderson, whose bio included 14 years in Northwest leadership. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Delta’s final 737-700s were registered as N301DQ, N302DQ, N303DQ, N304DQ, N307DQ, N308DE, N309DE and N310DE. Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines, the only remaining U.S. passenger airline to fly the 747, is retiring the plane from its fleet. Delta currently has 18 Boeing 777s, including 10 777-200LR models used on ultra-long-haul routes. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Those planes would easily be retired and help the carrier reduce operating costs. This retirement is also logical enough. Delta’s 777 aircraft to retire by end of 2020, simplifying widebody fleet amid COVID-19. And every traveler will likely be happy to hear that the cramped CRJ200s are on their way out. Get 25% more value when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. *Bonus value is an estimated value calculated by TPG and not the card issuer. A RED VENTURES COMPANY. Only first class passengers receive AC power outlets. The Boeing 777 fleet retirement plan is a move toward Delta's (DAL) financial goal to reduce cash burn rate to zero by 2020-end. CARD HIGHLIGHTS: 2X points on all travel and dining, points transferrable to over a dozen travel partners. In addition, a few smaller numbers of Boeing 767-300ERS and Airbus A320 aircraft will also be retired this year. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Sign up for TPG’s free new biweekly Aviation newsletter for more airline-specific news! Related: Delta operates final MD-88 flight amid tough times for airlines. With the final flights slated this fall, this will streamline Delta’s long-haul widebody fleet and remove a small but significant inefficiency in the carrier’s network. Delta Air Lines Inc DAL has decided to permanently retire its Boeing 777 fleet by the end of this year as part of its efforts to reduce costs and align its network according to the low demand scenario resulting from the COVID-19 crisis. The MDs were aging and fuel inefficient. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. Save Lives.' Air France has shed its superjumbo Airbus A380s, American Airlines retired its Boeing 757s and 767s, and Delta Air Lines flew its last McDonnell Douglas MD-88 and MD-90 flights in June. These changes will take time though with the CRJ200s due to leave by the end of 2023, and the 717s and 767s by the end of 2025. Delta Air Lines has retired its final Boeing 737-700 aircraft, sources close to the matter confirmed to AirlineGeeks. Delta Air Lines is retiring aircraft. Delta Air Lines is retiring aircraft. Already, the MD-88 and MD-90s have exited the carrier’s fleet. Delta expects to take an impairment of $2 to $2.5bn for this fleet restructuring. Delta announced yesterday that it will retire its fleet of Boeing 777 aircraft permanently after its grounding for the COVID-19 crisis. The 737-700s are also interesting. This is because agreements with pilots limit Delta’s ability to contract out small flying. Some of those aircraft are among the oldest A320s in passenger service. This comes as the airline posted a massive loss and continues to chart a path forward. See, flew its last McDonnell Douglas MD-88 and MD-90 flights, Delta operates final MD-88 flight amid tough times for airlines. Delta has 56 767-300ERS. When the COVID-19 changes are all said and done, Delta will have a primarily Airbus fleet comprising of A220s, A319s, A320s, A321s, A330s and A350s. The carrier flew 91 717-200s, 56 767-300ERs and its affiliates 125 CRJ200s — many at wholly-owned subsidiary Endeavor Air — prior to the pandemic. Based in Washington DC, United States. This includes the re-engined and more fuel efficient A321neos and A330neos. The planned retirements are part of Delta's overall strategy of reducing its fleet in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Delta had eight 737-700s in its fleet as of Sept. 13 and the final planes were ferried to storage on Sept. 25. Already, the MD-88 and MD-90s have exited the carrier’s fleet. Delta Plans Retirement of Boeing 777 Fleet … The retirements, which are occurring earlier than planned, will cost the carrier between $2 billion and $2.5 billion in one-time impairment charges. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Are you going to be sad to see some of these aircraft go? In addition to the MD-88s and MD-90s, Delta has retired its Boeing 737-700s and is due to retire its Boeing 777s by the end of October. Replacing those jets would be some A220s and A321s. In 1966, Boeing announced plans to build the 747. Cited by TIME and Intelligent Aerospace, among others, and interviewed by major outlet NPR, Jay’s focus on route planning and fleet developments allow him to dig deeper into the stories behind the headlines. Delta plans to retire its 18 widebody Boeing 777s by the end of 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Onboard, the 767s offer a dated product, but an excellent experience in coach thanks to the comfortable 2-3-2 layout– meaning fewer middle seats. However, Delta spokesperson Morgan Durrant told TPG that the final flight is subject to change. Please Support us by turning off your adblocker. However, the airline is expected to delay the majority of its remaining new aircraft deliveries due this year until after 2020, Bloomberg reported on Sept. 23. Delta announced the retirement of its McDonnell Douglas MD-88 and MD-90 aircraft in April of this year. Delta has eliminated the 88 from LGA and as of current estimation should have all of the 88s retired Delta retired seven Boeing 767-300ERs in the second quarter, bringing its overall number of 767s in its fleet to 49 of the 767-300ERs and 21 of the 767-400ERs. © 2021 THE POINTS GUY, LLC. Feel free to discuss their legacy as well. This plane is comparable to the Airbus A319s– although those aircraft are a little larger in terms of passenger capacity. Flyers looking for 717s and 767-300ERs over the next few years can find them based in Atlanta (ATL), Detroit (DTW) and, for the latter type, New York John F. Kennedy (JFK). 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