Delta orders 100 737-900ERs

Current order tally: 9094

Last week, Delta Air Lines placed an order for 100 Boeing 737-900ERs, part of a long-expected narrowbody renewal. This is a big boost to the -900ER, which had been sitting on 308 orders, 215 of which were unfilled, at the end of July. It also takes the 737 total solidly past 9000 (something there has been surprisingly little publicity about). More surprising though is what Delta didn't order. Delta's original request for proposals outlined an intention to order 200 aircraft. While this order will be used to replace older Boeing 757-200s and Airbus A320s, Delta has decided to hold off on placing the other half of its intended order to replace slightly smaller aircraft such as the McDonnell Douglas DC-9-50 and MD-88. It will remain to be seen whether Boeing can snag this order when it is eventually placed. Also of note is that Delta has opted for the current generation of the 737-900ER, rather than the reengined model. It would seem their sums have fallen in favour of a slightly less efficient aircraft earlier, rather than a more efficient one later. Another blog has suggested one factor in play was the cost of acquiring the aircraft - a sign that even as the reengined 737 takes centre stage, there will still be a place for the current generation for some time.