" wrote:
Was Spirit looking at 717s? If so, this decision combined with
Star Alliance rejecting the 717 may finally kill the 717 off.

The DC9 is an old design. Name changes cannot hide that.

The 737 is also an old design. However, the MD95 (aka 717) was different
enough from DC-9 that it finally got its onw certification. And operators seem
quite pleased with it. The problem is that it is a orphan child that does not
fit well in large fleets, especially since its future isn't very sure.

The 717 is also just above a limit where unions would never allow regional
operators to fly it.
It is interesting that the embraer 100 pax jets is, in many ways, just as
orphan as the 717 in large airline fleets. But being just enough smaller, it
probably fits better into their plans.

It could also have to do with all the subsidies jungle jets and flying skidoos
get when exported.