Delta plays a smart game in its capital expenditures.
Delta has built large fleets of MD-90 and MD-95 (717) aircraft on the cheap. The 717s may be leased, but there's little doubt that Delta will end up buying them for a song (minor pun) at some point.
Delta is also perfectly willing to purchase new aircraft when it can see the value in so doing. In terms of fleet planning, I don't think that any other carrier anywhere has done a better job in recent years.
It helps that Delta has extensive in-house MRO capabilities, which those carriers that dump leased aircraft in a deplorable state after ten or twelve years lack.
Delta has built large fleets of MD-90 and MD-95 (717) aircraft on the cheap. The 717s may be leased, but there's little doubt that Delta will end up buying them for a song (minor pun) at some point.
Delta is also perfectly willing to purchase new aircraft when it can see the value in so doing. In terms of fleet planning, I don't think that any other carrier anywhere has done a better job in recent years.
It helps that Delta has extensive in-house MRO capabilities, which those carriers that dump leased aircraft in a deplorable state after ten or twelve years lack.