Delta Retiring All Boeing 777s By Fall 2020

Real World Aviation
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Delta Air Lines will permanently retire all Boeing 777s by Fall 2020.

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In a memo to Delta employees titled “Protecting Our Future”, Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian announced they will permanently retire all Boeing 777s by the end of 2020. This consists of 8 Boeing 777-200ERs and 10 Boeing 777-200LRs.

Delta’s Airbus A330s and A350s will be the workhorses of the airline’s long-haul fleet going forward.

Just months ago, Delta’s 777-200LR opened the possibility of launching its nonstop New York JFK to Mumbai route. The -200LR is found on Delta’s longest route, Atlanta to Johannesburg.

The youngest Delta 777, N710DN, is just 10 years old. This is likely one of the youngest retirements we’ve seen during COVID-19.

These decisions to retire less efficient aircraft such as the 777 and MD-88/90 are to conserve money as Delta is burning through $50 million every day.

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This is pretty sad as Delta recently finished refurbishing its 777s to feature the new Delta One Suites as well as Premium Select seats.

Additionally, Delta will make several more changes to its fleet/network:

  • Less Boeing 717 flying for the next two years, only 30-45 aircraft. The rest will be grounded.
  • Cincinnati pilot base closing
  • Boeing 767s will remain and prioritize flights to Europe.
  • A350 pilot base opens in Atlanta and Los Angeles
  • More A220s into New York
Sources/Images

Source:
https://twitter.com/e_russell/status/1260912996106342401
Shrinking Delta to close Cincinnati pilot base, boost A350s at LAX - The Points Guy
Image: Delta Airlines 777-200(LR) N703DN | Delta Airlines 777-232(L… | Flickr

The decision to retire these 777s was rumored in the past few weeks, and now it’s been confirmed.

Enjoy Delta’s 777s in the 777 rework before they’re retired in real life.

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A Delta 777 Tribute - BOM To JFK
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@Ishrion you almost gave me a heart attack I thought it would say “All Boeing 777s and 757s”

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I just heard about this, crazy, here’s what the CEO said

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And, when the 777 rework comes, it’ll be too late. These things will be gone soon after 20.1 🤦‍♂️

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Only one thing for it:

:(

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Wait what? Why? What are they replacing them with? They don’t have enough A330s and A350s

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Wow. I wasn’t expecting the 777s to be retired. The 777 is one of my favorite aircraft, so this is very sad.

They don’t seem to have much of a replacement either.

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To be fair, there’s only 18 777s, i thought they had way more

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Ok! What in the world is wrong with the 777LR? I can see why they did the MD80, but the 777?!

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Noo! Why though, The livery looks great on it!
…Well then… fair well Delta 777.

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Delta has like 30+ A330neos and 20+ A350s on order

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Does that include the 350s from LATAM?

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Yup, the 13 new ones. Or around 13.

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Oh, I had no idea they had any on order.

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I wasn’t expecting that…

Seriously though, I absolutely was not expecting that, would’ve thought the 757s would’ve gone over the 777s.

Sadly I won’t ever get to fly on a Delta 777 now.

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That used to be my dream to fly on. But now its going away.
One thing
):

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Will they be using the 350 on Atlanta to Johannesburg?

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They have over 100 757s, I’m sure it would be at least a phased retirement to retain some capacity.

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Didn’t they just get refurbished with the new cabin? What a shame…

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Shame, even tho I’m not American I fly the Delta 777s pretty frequently in IF coz I enjoy doing their ultra long hauls, in fact I’m flying a Delta 777-200LR to Mumbai right now

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oh god.

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