Delta Airlines has added Boeing 717 airliner service to its arsenal at the Dane County Regional Airport for its direct flights between Madison and Detroit.

Detroit is one of Delta’s major hubs, offering service to and from well beyond Michigan.

The Boeing 717 is a twin-engine, single-aisle jet airliner. It has 12 first-class seats, 15 economy comfort seats and 83 economy seats.

“This 717 is a great size for the distance between Detroit and the amount of passengers we move to Detroit,” said Brent McHenry, airport spokesman.

The 717 has USB ports, 110-volt service and Wi-Fi service to keep passengers connected.

Wi-Fi service improved

The airport recently had its Wi-Fi service updated, McHenry said.

SupraNet provides the service, which is free for airport users.

“All of the Wi-Fi ports have been redone throughout the airport, which means there is much more accessibility to Wi-Fi and speed and reliability,” McHenry said.

Ahead of schedule

McHenry said the airport’s parking ramp expansion continues.

Three floors are being added to the current parking structure. When the project is completed, the airport will have increased its number of covered parking stalls by 1,600 to 3,489 spaces.

“We’ve got one whole half built, but we haven’t occupied it,” McHenry said.

The project is expected to be done by late October or early November.

Slower month

The number of passengers arriving in Madison in July dropped slightly compared to July 2013.

Last month, 72,838 passengers arrived compared to 73,312 in the same month in 2013.

July is typically a slower month for passengers, McHenry said. In August, numbers usually pick up before they dip again in September when students go back to school.