Delta Air Lines is set to operate its Boeing 717 aircraft on a total of 93 domestic routes this November. This marks a significant increase in the utilization of the aging fleet, which first joined Delta’s operations in 2013 following the acquisition of AirTran by Southwest Airlines. As a result of Southwest’s all-737 fleet, the 717 became available for Delta, which now maintains a fleet of 80 units, originally marketed as the MD-95.
The Boeing 717s, primarily used for short-haul flights, feature a seating capacity of 110, including 12 first-class seats, 20 in Comfort+, and 78 in the Main Cabin. At 24 years old, the 717s represent one of Delta’s oldest subfleets, but their operational cost remains low as they are fully owned by the airline.
Increased Operations and Route Details
Using data from Cirium Diio, Delta plans to conduct an average of 398 daily two-way flights on the 717, an increase from 350 flights in November 2024. The growth in operations is partly attributed to a reduction in average stage length, which has fallen by 8% year-on-year. The airline benefits from owning the aircraft outright, resulting in lower operational costs that offset the higher fuel consumption and maintenance expenses associated with the older planes.
The majority of these flights will take place from Atlanta, which handles 73% of the total 717 movements. In November, the airport will see 290 flights using the 717, while Minneapolis and Detroit will account for 33 and 75 flights, respectively. Atlanta’s increase in operations is notable, with a quarter more services compared to the previous November. Conversely, Minneapolis has experienced a 39% decline in 717 services.
Top Routes and Flight Frequencies
Reflecting the concentration of operations in Atlanta, all of Delta’s top ten routes for the 717 are based there. The Atlanta to Charlotte route leads with 213 departures, featuring six to eight daily flights in each direction. This route connects two of the busiest airports in the world, facilitating connectivity for passengers.
The following table outlines Delta’s most frequented 717 routes in November:
– **Atlanta to Charlotte:** 213 flights (100% on the 717)
– **Atlanta to Greensboro:** 190 flights (82%)
– **Atlanta to Asheville:** 181 flights (100%)
– **Atlanta to Jackson:** 164 flights (81%)
– **Atlanta to Dallas Love:** 155 flights (100%)
– **Atlanta to Lexington:** 148 flights (80%)
– **Atlanta to Greenville/Spartanburg:** 145 flights (62%)
– **Atlanta to Tallahassee:** 141 flights (81%)
– **Atlanta to Gainesville:** 136 flights (100%)
– **Atlanta to Little Rock:** 135 flights (74%)
Notably, the average distance for a 717 flight in November will be 360 nautical miles (667 kilometers), significantly influenced by the shorter routes from Atlanta, which average 322 nautical miles (596 kilometers). In contrast, the longest route from Minneapolis to Savannah spans 949 nautical miles (1,758 kilometers), while the shortest, from Detroit to Cleveland, covers only 83 nautical miles (154 kilometers).
As Delta prepares to expand its operations with the Boeing 717, the airline continues to leverage its fully owned fleet to offer efficient and cost-effective services, demonstrating a commitment to maintaining a robust domestic network.