The 717 is also one of the few large jets readily converted for gravel runways, giving it a long future in northern operations.<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravelkit" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravelkit</a>
The 717 is actually not an original Boeing or McDonnell Douglas design; it's a refinement of a very old DC-9 airframe from the 60s massively upgraded with modern avionics and modern systems. The DC-9s (and later, the MD-80/90s) were very well-engineered aircraft, and the fact that their core airframe designs are still in operation some five decades later is a testament to how sound Douglas' original engineering and design methodology was.
Back when I flew regularly the MD-80 and derivatives where my favorite planes to fly because of 5 across rows with wider seats than the 6 abreast 737 which is like flying in a cattle car. My least favorite for long haul trips was the 777. Twelve hours where the seat armrest would go up only part way was too much. It made it very difficult to take advantage of adjacent vacant seats or just cuddle with my wife.
"global demand has outstripped supply since Delta started assembling a large and growing fleet in 2012, taking advantage of favorable rental terms and a drop in jet-kerosene prices that makes older planes attractive.<p>“They’re kind of the market-maker,” said Robert Agnew, president and chief executive officer of aviation consultant Morten Beyer & Agnew Inc. “If Delta weren’t there, the airplane might be struggling.”"<p>That's the core of the story. It could have been some other model instead. It'd be interesting to know what the circumstances were behind Delta picking the 717.
"The only one that’s sitting idle and not earmarked for another carrier is a Turkmenistan Airlines plane in temporary storage" I don't get it. Why would you park an airplane idle?
> ... and a drop in jet-kerosene prices that makes older planes attractive<p>Based on that one comment, said in passing, the cost of jet fuel has dropped enough that airlines now are looking for less-efficient designs.<p>That seems dangerous. Is airline fuel subsidized like automotive fuel is? At least, I doubt the airlines pay for the massive externality of climate change.