I think it should be pretty obvious by now that the extra flight deck space gained by the smaller superstructure of CV-17 will result in no more than an extra helicopter parking space, if even that. Fanbois were wildly speculating that CV-17 would be able to park 2 or 3 extra J-15s compared to CV-16. LOL
Agreed. I though, as I looked at the comparison, that they got one extra space ahead of the island..but I believe they can park an J-15 there if they want.
Aslo a littl more room forward and to starboard of the starboard side forward cat/jet blast...for placing aircraft there while launching. If you look at the two pics, they may have picked up a couple of feet there and forward toward the sponson which appears to allow the flight deck to extend a little further forward there.
Finally, there may be a little extra room for slightly more clearance along the port side for aircraft lined up just off the landing area, or lined up waiting for the wast cat. But not much if any. Other than that, they got a little extra room on the flight deck forward of the island..