Delta Air Lines is eyeing a fall completion for its retrofit of regional jets with first-class cabins.
The US major in January said it would add a first-class cabin to 66 Bombardier CRJ700s operated under the Delta Connection brand by its regional partners SkyWest and Atlantic Southeast Airlines and its wholly-owned regional subsidiary Comair.
When the retrofits are complete this fall, 50 routes that currently feature Delta Connection flights with only one class of service will be upgraded to two-cabin aircraft with first- and economy-class service.
At that time, the Delta Connection fleet will include 219 regional aircraft with two-class service flying on 272 domestic routes.
"The enhancement means Delta customers can enjoy the benefits of first-class service on more domestic flights, and SkyMiles members will have more opportunities for upgrades to first-class seating," says Delta in a statement.
Delta's domestic route upgrades are part of the airline's ongoing $1 billion investment in products and services across its network.
American Airlines' regional sister American Eagle Airlines is in the process of retrofitting its CRJ700s with two-class service. The carrier recently unveiled its new first-class cabin in Chicago.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
