There are many reasons why this deal is good for both DL and WN as well as Boeing and why all three are smart enough to know to work together than beating up on each other which could only eliminate the possibility for each party to help the others.
DL made it clear that it wanted a 100 seat aircraft during its last major aircraft orders... but passed on making an order apparently waiting to let this deal play out.
There are rumors that DL paid as little as $5-6M per aircraft for the M90s and then maybe spent another half million or so in cabin refurbs. The chances are that they can get at least as good of a deal on these 717s if not better which makes the economics of buying new aircraft, well, uneconomical in comparison.
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WN wasn't convinced it wanted the 717s from the beginning and said "yes" to keep the deal going. Obviously their ability to "put up with" the 717s was tied to how easily they could get rid of the fleet.
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DL, anxious to get rid of 50 seat RJs and replace them with better CASM aircraft, will keep its employees happy by bringing huge chunks of flying back to mainline - and in the process eliminating some of the criticisms that have been raised about DL's int'l scope issues that have arisen because of having to cut back alot of seasonal European flying.
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WN has the opportunity to standardize its fleet and complete the merger w/ FL much faster since new aircraft will come under the WN certificate.
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Boeing satisfies the needs of its two best US customers, keeping them flying Boeing products and dealing a blow to the growth of new generation 100 seat aircraft while keeping aircraft costs low for both DL and WN.
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And despite what alot of people thought, DL and WN are managing to coexist quite well and are focusing their competitive efforts on other carriers.
