18 October, 2025
delta-air-lines-expands-boeing-717-operations-to-93-domestic-routes

Delta Air Lines is set to operate its Boeing 717 aircraft on a total of 93 domestic routes this November, marking a significant expansion in its network. The airline, which first began using the Boeing 717 in 2013 after acquiring them from Southwest Airlines during its purchase of AirTran, currently has 80 of these aircraft in its fleet. Although not all of these planes are actively flying, they remain an integral part of Delta’s operations, especially given their cost-effectiveness.

With a passenger capacity of 110, the Boeing 717 features 12 first-class seats, 20 seats in Comfort+, and 78 in the Main Cabin. This aircraft type is Delta’s second-smallest mainline equipment, just behind the Airbus A220-100. Recent data from Cirium Diio shows that Delta will increase its daily flights on the 717 from an average of 350 in November 2023 to approximately 398 in November 2024. This growth is attributed to a reduction in average stage length by 8% year-on-year and the financial advantage of owning the aircraft outright.

Route Details and Performance

Delta’s 93 routes will predominantly see the 717 operating less than daily on 30 of the links, while 22 routes will have only one or two flights. The majority of these flights will be concentrated in Atlanta, which is the busiest airport globally in terms of passenger volume. Atlanta accounts for 290 of the 398 daily movements, representing a remarkable 73% of total operations for this aircraft type. In contrast, Minneapolis, which is Delta’s second-largest hub, will see a decrease in 717 operations, with a 39% reduction in flights compared to the previous year.

The leading market for Boeing 717 activity is the route from Atlanta to Charlotte, with 213 departures in November, resulting in six to eight daily flights. This route connects the second and eighth-busiest airports in the U.S. The U.S. Department of Transportation indicates that approximately 80% of passengers on this route connect to other flights at Atlanta’s hub.

Flight Lengths and Key Destinations

When analyzing all 93 routes, the average distance for Delta’s Boeing 717 services will be 360 nautical miles (667 kilometers). This average is influenced by shorter routes originating from Atlanta, which has an average stage length of 322 nautical miles (596 km). The longest route operated by the 717 is from Minneapolis to Savannah, covering 949 nautical miles (1,758 km). Notably, this route will see the 717 just once on November 29, with the remainder of flights managed by an A319.

On the other hand, the shortest flight is from Detroit to Cleveland, covering only 83 nautical miles (154 km), and is scheduled for November 8. Both routes illustrate the varied operational landscape for the Boeing 717 within Delta’s network.

Delta’s strategic use of the Boeing 717 highlights its adaptability and cost-effectiveness in a competitive airline environment. The expansion into 93 routes this November not only reflects Delta’s operational strategy but also its commitment to maintaining a diverse and efficient fleet.