I talked to some Mechanics at Air Tran recently on this exact subject and they actually told me the Engine was the only thing they Didn't like on the aircraft. Not because it was unreliable or anything like that but simply because that side mounted high bypass fan is a nightmare to uncowl, just like the MD90. Luckily being a Rolls you don't have to uncowl it often. I think the 15 Minute estimate was actually 15 hrs from what they were saying. Its not an easy engine to work on or change but it is very reliable.

Paul,Thanks for following up and refining my information for me. Looking at it like that, I can see how that could be more of a nightmare than a breeze.

I used to fly on the 717 all the time when Airtran was still flying to Dallas...The seats in that plane are horrible! Very little cushion, seat pitch was ridiculous, and there was a seat support under the seat that effectively negated you putting a bag that would fit under a 737 seat easily.In short, it may be a great plane for the bean counters, mechs and pilots, but is horrible for the passenger. The 737 flights were so much nicer, they even have Recaro seats! Regards,Steve Dra

I used to fly on the 717 all the time when Airtran was still flying to Dallas...The seats in that plane are horrible! Very little cushion, seat pitch was ridiculous, and there was a seat support under the seat that effectively negated you putting a bag that would fit under a 737 seat easily.In short, it may be a great plane for the bean counters, mechs and pilots, but is horrible for the passenger. The 737 flights were so much nicer, they even have Recaro seats! Regards,Steve Dra

I totally agree, but the sound of the BR715's makes up for it! :(

I used to fly on the 717 all the time when Airtran was still flying to Dallas...The seats in that plane are horrible! Very little cushion, seat pitch was ridiculous, and there was a seat support under the seat that effectively negated you putting a bag that would fit under a 737 seat easily.In short, it may be a great plane for the bean counters, mechs and pilots, but is horrible for the passenger. The 737 flights were so much nicer, they even have Recaro seats! Regards,Steve Dra

Interiors are usually airline specific, so just because AirTran seats are uncomfortable, doesn't mean other airlines that fly 717's are the same. If an airline like Delta were to acquire them, over time they would probably change the interior to their standard.

I used to fly on the 717 all the time when Airtran was still flying to Dallas...The seats in that plane are horrible! Very little cushion, seat pitch was ridiculous, and there was a seat support under the seat that effectively negated you putting a bag that would fit under a 737 seat easily.In short, it may be a great plane for the bean counters, mechs and pilots, but is horrible for the passenger. The 737 flights were so much nicer, they even have Recaro seats!

Right, but who put those seats in there, the airline, or the manufacturer? It's the airline. Boeing (nee McDonnell Douglas) had nothing to do with it. I've been on Continental's 737s, and I've been on Southwest's. Two entirely different experiences because of the seating. Again, it had nothing to do with Boeing.

Interiors are usually airline specific, so just because AirTran seats are uncomfortable, doesn't mean other airlines that fly 717's are the same. If an airline like Delta were to acquire them, over time they would probably change the interior to their standard.

Yeah, I was about to say the same Tom.The argument that the aircraft is uncomfortable because the seats don't feel right is way off. The airline was the one who ordered the seats, not the aircraft manufacturer.

Right, but who put those seats in there, the airline, or the manufacturer? It's the airline. Boeing (nee McDonnell Douglas) had nothing to do with it. I've been on Continental's 737s, and I've been on Southwest's. Two entirely different experiences because of the seating. Again, it had nothing to do with Boeing.

Oh yeah! I remember my first flight on a LCC 737.. Comparing that to say, Lufthansa 737 classics, and its like night and day in comfort (and service too). I suppose Air Tran was a LCC if im not mistaken? The nameis funny for a norwegian, you see, Tran is a dreaded thing amongst children in norway. Its something most of us had to deal with growing up, yes, its cod liver oil, and we call it tran.. haha.. Air Tran, for your daily cod liver oil dosage :(

Oh yeah! I remember my first flight on a LCC 737.. Comparing that to say, Lufthansa 737 classics, and its like night and day in comfort (and service too). I suppose Air Tran was a LCC if im not mistaken? The name is funny for a norwegian, you see, Tran is a dreaded thing amongst children in norway. Its something most of us had to deal with growing up, yes, its cod liver oil, and we call it tran.. haha.. Air Tran, for your daily cod liver oil dosage :(

Haha. I never thought of it that way, even though part of the family is Norwegian so I speak it (thus the forum name). You from Stavanger? I've been to Hommersåk a few times, so I flew through Sola.

Why would anyone want to buy 717's? One of the biggest flops in commercial aviation. Not a real plane not an RJ.

I don't think I'd say one of the biggest flops ever. 156 were built. It's pretty much a direct replacment of the DC-9. Would you say the DC-9 was a flop? nope.mitch bowman

Right, but who put those seats in there, the airline, or the manufacturer? It's the airline. Boeing (nee McDonnell Douglas) had nothing to do with it. I've been on Continental's 737s, and I've been on Southwest's. Two entirely different experiences because of the seating. Again, it had nothing to do with Boeing.Yeah, I was about to say the same Tom.The argument that the aircraft is uncomfortable because the seats don't feel right is way off. The airline was the one who ordered the seats, not the aircraft manufacturer.

I agree....Airtran put the seats in..so...let me restate....AIRTRAN 717s are horrible to fly on...if you've ever flown on them twice every week for several years, you'd probably agree.I don't like flying in 757s either...but I bet Donald Trump's new 757 is probably a bit more comfortable than the Delta 757s I fly on. :LMAO:Regards,Steve Dra

I don't like flying in 757s either...but I bet Donald Trump's new 757 is probably a bit more comfortable than the Delta 757s I fly on.

Yet, when Delta operated Song, they had very comfortable (For coach seats) leather seats with plenty of leg room and wide seats. I do agree though I would prefer the seats on DT's 757!!:(

Haha. I never thought of it that way, even though part of the family is Norwegian so I speak it (thus the forum name). You from Stavanger? I've been to Hommersåk a few times, so I flew through Sola.

Of all the people in here, I run into someone who knows where Hommersåk is:-). I live SSE from the airport, in Ganddal, south of Sandnes. So I take it that your norwegian family lives in Hommersåk perhaps?Anyways, whenever I travelled to the US, Air Tran was one of the really funny names out there, but I always wanted to fly on their 717`S.

Of all the people in here, I run into someone who knows where Hommersåk is:-). I live SSE from the airport, in Ganddal, south of Sandnes. So I take it that your norwegian family lives in Hommersåk perhaps?

My family is actually up north from some small town close Bodø. I know Hommersåk because I had friends who lived there and I spent a day at Sandnes VGS with one of my friends to see what classes were like over there.

My family is actually up north from some small town close Bodø. I know Hommersåk because I had friends who lived there and I spent a day at Sandnes VGS with one of my friends to see what classes were like over there.

Sandnes Vgs.. this is getting even funnier.. The world has become such a small place, from time to time that is..So, did the public schools impress you? Regard your answer as being under surveillance, so careful what you write now! Close to Bodø you say, like Fauske or Salten? I was there doing my duty as a crew chef assistant on the F-16, so I really got to know the area..aheem, so those Air Tran 717, huh!

Sandnes Vgs.. this is getting even funnier.. The world has become such a small place, from time to time that is..So, did the public schools impress you? Regard your answer as being under surveillance, so careful what you write now!

I thought it was cool. It's much smaller than the school I went to (I graduated with 800), but I got to sit in on a biology class. I think at the time I was more impressed that I actually understood what the teacher was talking about (Punnett squares and so on), even though it was in Norwegian.

Close to Bodø you say, like Fauske or Salten? I was there doing my duty as a crew chef assistant on the F-16, so I really got to know the area..

Close to Bodø, but I'm also referencing it as "closer to Bodø than where I was in Rogaland," so I could be quite off. All I can remember when I researched it (back in 2004) is that I think it was too small to even have a Wikipedia page. I'll have to look back at the family history to see where exactly, again. Most of them emigrated to North Dakota and Saskatchewan and didn't talk much about it, and most of them have passed.[/ASIDE]To be honest, I think the 717 would be more popular over there had SAS chosen it instead of the B736. SAS loved the heck outta the MDs.

Close to Bodø, but I'm also referencing it as "closer to Bodø than where I was in Rogaland," so I could be quite off. All I can remember when I researched it (back in 2004) is that I think it was too small to even have a Wikipedia page. I'll have to look back at the family history to see where exactly, again. Most of them emigrated to North Dakota and Saskatchewan and didn't talk much about it, and most of them have passed.[/ASIDE]To be honest, I think the 717 would be more popular over there had SAS chosen it instead of the B736. SAS loved the heck outta the MDs.

I see, would have been interesting to know where in Nordland (the name of the province) they where from.Anyways, the 717 would have done a superb job on the norwegian network of Sas. Back in the ol`days the Dc9-21 was made special order from Sas. I think they took the wingof a Dc9-40 and put them on the fuselage of a 10 series.. Looked really cool. That was simply to give them the ability to lift good loads of passangers out of smaller airports in northern Norway.They did indeed love those MDs alot! I just never understood the weird and stupid fleet management they`ve had the last years..They have a mix of CRJs, 734/5/6/7/8, A319/320/330/340, Md80s (just two years back or so they even had the Q400 AND F50s at the SAME time.... They have lost alot of money by not having a more similarized fleet structure..One thing is a huge company like Delta, but being tiny like Sas in comparison, you just should not mix up youre fleet like that.