Summary

• Delta Air Lines continues to operate its aging fleet of 127 Boeing 757 aircraft, despite their average age of over 20 years, indicating no retirement plans in the near future.
• The 757-200 and 757-300 are used for different purposes, with the smaller 757-200 serving domestic and leisure routes, while the larger 757-300 is used for premium and long-haul markets.
• Although Delta will eventually need to find a replacement for the aging 757 fleet, the lack of suitable mid-market options on the market means they will continue to operate them for several years beyond 2025.

Delta Air Lines has a fleet of 127 Boeing 757 aircraft – 111 Boeing 757-200s and 16 757-300s, which have an average age of 27 and 20.8 years, respectively. These planes have served the US carrier for decades now, and it seems like the company will not retire them any time soon, despite their aging.

Merging with Northwest

The 757 was the only common type between Delta and Northwest. However, Delta only operated the smaller 757-200 prior to the merger. Through the merger, Delta acquired the larger Boeing 757-300. Unlike the 757-200, the longer derivative version is not as versatile and serves high-density routes in the United States.

Delta kept a large number of the 757s acquired from Northwest, and the Atlanta-based carrier has kept them in service. The latest count from ch-aviation shows Delta operating 127 Boeing 757s, with an average age of over 20 years. This puts these aircraft very close to their ideal retirement age.

But Delta’s love for the 757 goes even beyond that date. The company’s first 757 arrived in November 1984, a 757-200 registration N602DL. This plane and other 78 units have already been in service, with the US company retiring between 2007 and 2017.

What are the 757s like?

Delta's 757s are configured for two different markets. On the one hand, there are domestic and leisure 757s with first class, Comfort+, and Main Cabin. Meanwhile, for premium and long-haul markets, Delta offers a lie-flat business class. Each seat has access to seatback entertainment.

The 757-200s have five different configurations, known as 75D, 75G, 75H, 75S, and 75C, according to the company’s website.

75D can accommodate 199 passengers in a three class configuration (20 seats in first class, 29 in Delta Comfort+, and 150 in main cabin. 75G can have 193 passengers (20 in first, 41 in Delta Comfort+, and 132 in main cabin). 75H can lso handle 199 passengers like 75D. 75S has a capacity for 168 passengers (16 seats in Delta One, 44 in Delta Comfort+, and 108 in main cabin).

Finally, Delta’s 757 75C is a charter configuration not employed for scheduled passenger services. It can carry 72 passengers in a three class configuration (28 in first class full recline, 32 in first class, and 12 in Club).

Delta’s 757-300 has only one configuration. It can carry 234 passengers in a three class configuration (24 first class seats, 32 in Delta Comfort+, and 178 in main cabin).

Will Delta replace the 757s?

It is without a doubt that Delta will have to look for a replacement for its 757 fleet sometime in the near to mid-term future. The fleet is aging. Nonetheless, it doesn’t seem like Delta has found the perfect substitute for this jetliner. In November 2021, ch-aviation reported that the company would continue to operate its 757s and 767 for several years beyond 2025, given the lack of new mid-market types.

This year, Icelandair announced an order for 13 Airbus A321XLRs. These planes were ordered to replace the company’s aging Boeing 757-200 fleet. While it wasn’t a perfect substitute, it is currently the only appropriate product available on the market. Theoretically, Delta could follow Icelandair’s steps, but it has not made any public interest in the XLR.

Delta’s order book currently stands at 303 aircraft per ch-aviation. The company is set to receive 12 Airbus A220-300s, 56 A220-300s, 113 A321neos, 16 A330-900s, six A350-900s, and 100 Boeing 737 MAX 10s. None of these planes can take on the 757.

Simple Flying reached Delta for comment on its plans regarding the 757. The airline said it doesn’t have any news announcements about its 757 fleet at the moment.

Where can you find Delta’s 757s?

As of October 2023, Delta Air Lines employs its 757 fleet on 1,938 weekly flights, according to data from Cirium.

The company employs the 757 fleet in domestic routes from Atlanta to destinations such as Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, New Orleans, Miami, and Jacksonville. It can also be seen in flights from Atlanta to international destinations such as Bogota, Cancun, Guatemala, Mexico City, Liberia (Costa Rica), Punta Cana, San José, St. Maarten, and Quito.

Have you been onboard Delta Air Lines Boeing 757 fleet? How was the experience? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: ch-aviation, Cirium.