Delta’s 757s Could Be Sticking Around

With 737 MAX deliveries uncertain, the carrier might extend the aging fleet’s life.

A Delta 757-300 aircraft (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

[ Planes ]November 21, 2024 1:38 pm ET

By Ryan Ewing

Delta’s fleet of 121 Boeing 757-200 and 757-300 aircraft might remain in service longer than expected amid aircraft delivery delays. The airline has orders for 100 737 MAX 10 aircraft, which has yet to receive FAA approval.

With an average age of 27 years old, some of Delta’s 757s are among the oldest aircraft still operating at major U.S. airlines. According to Cirium Fleet Analyzer data, the airline has retired just one 757-200 this year, registered as N671DN.

During a recent earnings call, Delta’s finance chief, Dan Janki, said the airline would begin retiring aircraft again in 2024, adding that it hadn’t removed any in 2022 or 2023. Janki initially indicated that Delta would retire around 20 jets from its entire fleet this year.

A Delta Air Lines Boeing 757 climbs out of Eagle County Airport.
(Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Flexibility Around Boeing

At Delta’s Investor Day event on Wednesday, airline executives noted that the 737 MAX 10s aren’t in its near-term fleet plan.

“We will have to continue to see where Boeing progresses related to the MAX,” Janki shared. “… We’ll see the progress that they’ve made. … [W]e have flexibility around that and how we could manage.”

Delta CEO Ed Bastian noted some contract flexibility with the beleaguered manufacturer “if the [MAX] 10 isn’t produced.” He added that the carrier could extend the life of its 757s and 737-800s as needed; many have been retrofitted with newer interiors in recent years.

Inside a Delta 757’s first class cabin (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

“You’re also going to see us potentially extend lives on whether it’s the 757s or [737-800s],” Bastian said. “We have the capability to do that, and we’ve been known to do that over time … . [T]hat could also be part of the mix here too.”

In its presentation to investors, the airline noted that it plans to reduce its fleet families from 13 to seven. It retired the MD-80 and MD-90 aircraft in 2020 and has announced plans to phase out the 767-300s sometime in the 2030s.

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Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

Follow Ryan

Author

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.
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