Delta Airlines has decided to order 100 Boeing 737-900ER aircraft to replace aging 757 aircraft and I’m underwhelmed.  Supposedly the order was won on price and delivery positions and I buy that. 

What does surprise me is that this aircraft doesn’t quite have the transcontinental range one would want unless you buy them with 2 auxiliary tanks and then you’re talking about reduced cargo capacity.  I don’t think these are being purchased to replace *all* 757s and I don’t think this means that Airbus is out of the game for single aisle aircraft. 

I think these purchases are for high density, low fare routes that are being served by 757s.  I also think that Delta will manage its 757 fleet (one of the largest in the world) so that it maintains that kind of lift for some years to come.  That said, some of those aircraft are getting old and its time for them to go. 

In addition, I don’t think this order signals one thing when it comes to fleet planning for Delta.  I do not think it means that Boeing is still the preferred provider.  I do not think it means that Delta is going to harmonize its fleet more.  I think it simply means that Delta needed 100 aircraft with seating for about 180 passengers and that’s it. 

Any guesses are just that:  guesses.  I suspect that Delta remains in negotiations for replacement aircraft for other parts of the fleet and I think that that does not include negotiations with Bombardier for its CSeries aircraft.  Whatever second part of this single aisle order is, I firmly believe it will belong to Airbus or Boeing.

Filed under: Airline Fleets, Airline News by ajax