dispelling sidelong: Delta's N950DN Is Enroute To Kvqq ? Civil Aviation Forum ...

Delta's MD-90 N950DN, the next-to-last to come over from JAL, according to FlightAware is enroute from KMSP to KVQQ where it will get its mods.

The last JL MD90 was retired a few weeks back and should be making its way to the USA in a few weeks too

Excellent news for Delta as well as its passengers. I'd much rather fly on an MD88/90 versus any of the narrowbody offerings from either Boeing or Airbus. Will the -90s be getting AVOD as well?

What is the current planned date to have all MD-90s in service? That is all of the current ones that we know about.

There are quite a few still awaiting mods. B the current pace I'd say all frames should be complete by early '14.

Quoting FlyASAGuy2005 (Reply 5):
There are quite a few still awaiting mods. B the current pace I'd say all frames should be complete by early '14.

I'm already impressed by the number of routes that are run by MD-90 equipment. By the time all of the mods are complete, the MD-90 will make up a significant percentage of the narrowbody fleet. From a personal point of view, I love being able to non-rev on the airline that flies all four of the major mainline narrowbody families (737, 757, A319/A320, DC-9 /MD-88/MD-90/717)! ?

That is good news. The MD90s are a great fit for the DL network.

Also my station just got the parking lines repainted for the 717 and 739 but they also painted lines for the 321 at all of our gates.... That one makes no sense to me

Quoting lucky777 (Reply 2):
I'd much rather fly on an MD88/90 versus any of the narrowbody offerings from either Boeing or Airbus

From a rampers point of view, we like working all narrow body planes expect the MD family at least in my station.

Worked/Planned Loads on: CRJ-2,CRJ-7,CRJ-9,737-4,737-7,737-8,757-2,757-3,767-3,A319,A320,A330,MD83,MD90

So what are the DL second hand teams going to be looking for all over the world now?

That is a shame considering many run on 3-4 hour runs out of MSP.

Quoting tommy767 (Reply 9):
That is a shame considering many run on 3-4 hour runs out of MSP.

Is AVOD really a requirement on such a segment? I mean, seriously...

Quoting lucky777 (Reply 2):

Excellent news for Delta as well as its passengers. I'd much rather fly on an MD88/90 versus any of the narrowbody offerings from either Boeing or Airbus. Will the -90s be getting AVOD as well?

As the others have stated, currently, AFAWK, there are no plans to put video entertainment on them. Initially there was, but as fuel prices climbed and market volitility began to rise in late 20, we shelved those plans. But we also, at that time, shelved plans to update the 753 fleet and the 757-5600 fleet as well, but we are no going fwd to reconfigure those aircraft and the with nose-to-tail AVOD and new slimline seats, new overhead bins(pivot-style for the 757 and 737 fleet), so it with all that happening, it would not surprise me to see us revamp the MD-90 fleet close after that, providing the economy stays intact. The MD-90s are averaging these days on the 3-4 legs, so for competitive reasons, it would only make sense for us to do so.

Quoting LV (Reply 8):
So what are the DL second hand teams going to be looking for all over the world now?

I too wonder about that. My guess is additional MD90 and B717 aircraft.

Quoting B757forever (Reply 12):
I too wonder about that. My guess is additional MD90 and B717 aircraft.

I was actually thinking some gently used 738's might be on the list if WN doesn't get to them first.

ch-aviation.ch says there are none in storage at KMZJ, 1 more to come over from JAL and 7 in various stages of the process in KATL for paint or in KVQQ for mod. I believe these 8 will be done by the end of July, if not sooner, so work can begin on the 717s that go into service later this year.

[Edited 2013-05-04 15:11:37]

Quoting jetjack74 (Reply 11):
shelved plans to update the 753 fleet and the 757-5600 fleet as well, but we are no going fwd to reconfigure those aircraft and the with nose-to-tail AVOD and new slimline seats, new overhead bins(pivot-style for the 757 and 737 fleet), so it with all that happening, it would not surprise me to see us revamp the MD-90 fleet close after that, providing the economy stays intact. The MD-90s are averaging these days on the 3-4 legs, so for competitive reasons, it would only make sense for us to do so.

So, the 5600-series 752s are getting AVOD? I know about the 753s, however, I didn't know the 5600-series 752s will be getting AVOD as well. Also, are there really plans to install pivot bins on the entire 737 and 757 fleet? I know the 739ERs will come with the Boeing Sky Interior from the factory, however, if there are plans to install pivot bins on other narrowbodies (Heath Tecna Project Amber I presume), that would be great.

Quoting LV (Reply 13):
I was actually thinking some gently used 738's might be on the list if WN doesn't get to them first.

That much has been stated by Ed Bastian. They are in the market for some second hand narrowbodies in the 738/320 range and capacity class. Simply but, although the MD90 is a great airplane, it does not have the legs like the 320 or 738 to do transcons and the like. Let's also remember that with the 757 drawdown, although we have 739s coming online, they need something to fly LatAm and the Caribbean. The 739 isn't exactly capable on the routes due to runway length at some of the stations.

What work is Delta doing on the 717's? I thought WN is responsible for the mods to Delta specs.

DL is not doing any work on the 717 aircraft. WN is handling that per the agreement.

Quoting B757forever (Reply 12):
Quoting LV (Reply 8):
So what are the DL second hand teams going to be looking for all over the world now?

I too wonder about that. My guess is additional MD90 and B717 aircraft.

Don't rule out additional MD-80s for spare part inventory. Particularly, relatively modest total flight-hour aircraft.

Of the MD-vintage types, I think an official confirmation on the Taiwan MD-90s is likely to happen next. I don't think DL will commit to additional 717s until they are able to evaluate the type after EIS. But ultimately, I do expect DL to operate more the 88 717s.

Delta will continue purchasing of or leasing MD-90s and probably the 717 along with any other aircraft which Delta currently flyies that fits their economics of scale.
"Why buy new when slightly used will do?" ?