Delta Air Lines continues to operate its fleet of Boeing 717 aircraft, despite the model's age and the availability of newer alternatives. The Boeing 717, a narrowbody regional jet developed from the McDonnell Douglas MD-95, was produced until 2006. Today, only Delta and Hawaiian Airlines still fly this aircraft type.
According to Cirium data, Delta plans to operate over 12,000 flights with the Boeing 717 in June alone. This amounts to around 1.4 million seats being offered on these jets during that period.
Delta's continued use of the Boeing 717 is partly due to historical factors. "Boeing inherited McDonnell Douglas' aircraft," including the MD-95 which was renamed as the Boeing 717 after their merger in 1997. Despite discontinuing other McDonnell Douglas models, Boeing manufactured 156 units of this jet for a specific market niche.