Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) will become a new Boeing 717 operator as Southwest Airlines (Dallas) has found a way to dispose of the 88 Boeing 717-200s operated by its subsidiary AirTran Airways (Dallas).

Southwest confirmed today that the airline, together with its subsidiary, AirTran Airways, Inc., has reached a tentative agreement with Delta Air Lines, Inc., and Boeing Capital Corp., to sublease all 88 of its Boeing 717 aircraft to Delta. A final agreement is subject to Delta and Southwest reaching certain agreements with all parties related to the aircraft leases. The tentative agreement between Southwest and Delta would transition the 717s over three years starting in the second half of 2013 with completion in 2015.

A transition of the 717s was an option that the airline acknowledged when it executed its fleet agreement with the Boeing Company.  The plan calls for the transition of approximately three 717 aircraft per month beginning in mid-2013. Southwest is not releasing any additional details about the tentative agreement at this time.  The Company currently plans to keep the total fleet count relatively flat as the 717s transition to Delta.

Delta will use the 717s to replace inefficient 50-seat regional jets and some older McDonnell Douglas DC-9-51 aircraft still in service, on a capacity-neutral basis.

The tentative agreement also provides Delta with additional flexibility to acquire up to 70 larger two-class, 76-seat regional jets as the Boeing 717 aircraft are delivered to Delta. Delta currently operates 255 larger two-class regional jets; the fleet will be increased to 325 aircraft.

Delta will begin taking delivery of Boeing 717 aircraft as early as 2013 upon ratification of a new tentative agreement covering Delta’s more than 12,000 pilots. The tentative agreement was approved on May 21 by the Master Executive Council (MEC) of the Delta Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), and now will be presented to pilots for review and ratification through June 30.

Southwest’s plans to integrate current AirTran Employees into the Southwest operation over the next several years remain unchanged. All Pilots would train and transition directly into the airline’s 737 fleet as the 717s are reduced. AirTran Flight Attendants and Maintenance personnel are currently trained on both aircraft types. Southwest would replace AirTran’s 717 flying with 737 aircraft, and would work with individual airports on facilities transition timelines. Southwest affirms its current plans to maintain service to all previously announced airports.

Because of this transaction, the AirTran 717s are not likely ever to wear Southwest’s livery.

Copyright Photo: Tony Storck.

AirTran Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Delta Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Southwest Slide Show: CLICK HERE