The Boeing 717-200 is Delta's regional workhorse, featuring a tight 2-2 Business Class cabin and a 2-3 Economy layout. With rear-mounted engines and limited cabin length, seat selection is critical for comfort. Learn which seats to book and which to avoid on this narrow-body regional jet.
The 717-200 offers Business Class with 37" pitch and Economy with 30-31" pitch in a 2-3 layout. Best seats are 2A/2D in Business or exit rows 19-21 in Economy for legroom. Avoid the last few rows due to engine noise and the middle seat (D) in Economy's 2-3 configuration.
Delta's Business Class on the 717-200 features 12 seats in a 2-2 configuration across six rows. With 37" pitch and 19.6" width, seats offer comfortable legroom for short regional flights. However, there is no privacy door separating the cabin. Seats are arranged with two on each side of the aisle, making window seats (A and D) preferable for privacy and wall access.
The 717-200 includes a Premium Economy cabin bridging the gap between Business and Economy classes, offering enhanced comfort and service for price-conscious premium travelers.
Economy accommodates the majority of passengers in a 2-3 layout with 30-31" pitch and 18.1" seat width. The three-across configuration on one side creates a middle seat (D) that many passengers prefer to avoid. Exit rows 19-21 provide exceptional legroom for tall travelers willing to accept the responsibility of emergency procedures. The rear of the cabin experiences significant noise from the 717-200's rear-mounted engines.
Seat | Cabin | Why |
|---|---|---|
2A | Business | Window seat with wall access, excellent privacy, forward position |
2D | Business | Window seat with wall access, excellent privacy, forward position |
3A | Business | Window seat with wall access, excellent privacy, ideal forward position |
3D | Business | Window seat with wall access, excellent privacy, ideal forward position |
19A | Economy | Exit row with extra legroom, aisle access |
19F | Economy | Exit row with extra legroom, window seat |
20A | Economy | Exit row with extra legroom, aisle access |
20F | Economy | Exit row with extra legroom, window seat |
21A | Economy | Exit row with extra legroom, forward-facing |
21F | Economy | Exit row with extra legroom, window seat |
Seat | Cabin | Why |
|---|---|---|
Rows 32-42 (rear) | Economy | Excessive engine noise from rear-mounted engines, minimal cabin pressure relief |
D column | Economy | Middle seat in 2-3 layout with no aisle or window access, confined space |
E column | Economy | Middle seat in 2-3 layout with no aisle or window access, confined space |
The Boeing 717-200's tray tables are compact and relatively sturdy for a regional jet, accommodating 13-inch laptops comfortably but requiring careful positioning for 15-inch models - Business Class seats (rows 1 - 6) offer slightly more stable configurations. WiFi connectivity uses Delta's standard satellite system (Viasat) with typical download speeds of 5 - 10 Mbps, sufficient for email and messaging but inconsistent for video conferencing. Power outlets are limited on the 717-200; Business Class offers USB-A ports (2.1A) at select armrests, while Economy has no in-seat charging - plan accordingly or bring a multi-day battery pack. The IFE system features 9-inch screens in Business Class and 7-inch screens in Economy; Bluetooth audio pairing is not available on this aircraft generation.
The Boeing 717-200 maintains a cabin altitude of approximately 7,500 feet, sitting between legacy regional turboprops and modern widebodies, with humidity typically 15 - 20% depending on flight duration. Engine noise is most pronounced in rows 20 - 30 (rear Economy), where cabin noise levels can exceed 80 dB during climb and cruise; Business Class (rows 1 - 6) experiences 65 - 72 dB. Rows 8 - 12 in forward Economy represent the acoustic sweet spot, offering reasonable quietness while avoiding the engine rumble of the tail section. Humidity levels are adequate for short routes but can feel dry on flights exceeding 2.5 hours; bring a hydrating facial mist if sensitive.
The 717-200 features a single main deck door (L1, left forward) as the primary exit for all passengers; some aircraft may have an optional L2 door, but this is uncommon on Delta's regional fleet. On a full 130-passenger flight, Business Class deplanes first (typically 2 - 3 minutes) followed by forward Economy, with rear Economy reaching the terminal 8 - 12 minutes after L1 door opening. At Delta's primary hubs (ATL, MSP, DTW), connecting passengers should allow a minimum of 45 minutes for domestic connections and 60 minutes for international; the 717-200's quick turnaround (25 minutes) means frequent gate delays if an inbound is late.
For red-eye routes on the 717-200, book seat 3A or 3D (Business Class window seats in row 3), which offer wall access, minimal aisle traffic, and distance from the galley - avoid rows 1 - 2 due to early boarding congestion and flight attendant activity. Skip the meal service on overnight flights under 4 hours; request water and a blanket instead to minimize sleep disruption, as the narrow cabin makes restful sleep challenging regardless. Bring a quality neck pillow, eye mask rated for bright overhead lights, and noise-canceling earbuds; the 717-200's compact cabin means passenger proximity and engine noise are constant variables. For arrival optimization, book early morning departures when possible, sleep in 90-minute cycles aligned with flight duration, and avoid alcohol - the low cabin humidity and altitude will amplify dehydration effects.
The 717-200 is designed for regional routes typically under 3 hours. Economy pitch of 30-31" is tight for longer flights. Business Class at 37" pitch is more comfortable, but the narrow fuselage and lack of amenities make it better suited for short hops.
WiFi availability varies by Delta's cabin configuration. Always check your specific flight booking. Power outlets are typically limited, so bring a fully charged device.
In Business, seats 2A, 2D, 3A, and 3D offer the best window positions. In Economy, any window seat (A or F columns) in exit rows 19-21 provides both a view and extra legroom.
The 717-200's rear-mounted engines create significant noise in the last 10 rows. If you're sensitive to noise, avoid rows 32 and beyond and pay extra for exit row seating.
In Economy's 2-3 layout, seats D and E (the middle seats) offer no aisle or window access and narrower personal space. Most travelers find them uncomfortable on flights over 90 minutes.
The 717-200's Economy cabin has minimal or no power outlets. Charge your devices before boarding or upgrade to Business Class where power may be available.
