Delta Air Lines To Acquire 20 Embraer E190s and 40 Additional Boeing 737-900ERs

On Wednesday night, Delta Air Lines announced that they will acquire 20 Embraer E190s and 40 additional Boeing 737-900ERs once their pilots ratify a new pilot agreement. This ratification was just passed by the Delta Master Executive Council (MEC) of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) and now the pilots must ratify the tentative agreement.

The new tentative agreement covers pilot pay-including a rise in base pay-along with a revision to Delta’s profit sharing formula which would begin in 2016. This agreement would also set wages for the new E190 pilots. Additional advancement opportunities for Delta pilots are secured by this agreement.

Once the agreement is ratified by the pilots, Delta will acquire 20 Embraer E190s. These E190s have been previously operated by another carrier, that has not been specified, and would enter Delta mainline service in the 4th quarter of 2016. These E190s will be operated with 98 seats and will be put on domestic routes to continue the shift away from the 50 seat regional jets. In addition to the E190s, Delta will order 40 additional 737-900ERs which will bring their total to 140 in their fleet and on order. Delta plans to use these aircraft to replace other narrow-bodies which are planned to be retired through 2019.

These aircraft will continue to help Delta ease into a more cost and fuel efficient fleet. This is the latest move from Delta in their effort to “Keep Climbing” to become the “World’s Best Airline.”