It’s finally happened, as Delta Air Lines puts in an order for Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
The airline has selected the largest variant of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner family – the Boeing 787-10. The airline has placed a firm order for 30 Boeing 787-10, with options for 30 more.
These will be used to enable the airline’s expansion and modernisation plans on high-demand transatlantic and South American routes, with a capacity of up to 336 passengers.
Today’s purchase brings Delta’s firm order book to 130 Boeing aeroplanes, including the airline’s order for 100 737-10 jets. The efficiency and flexibility of the 787-10 and 737-10 will enable Delta to fly more passengers on more routes as the airline expands and diversifies its network.
The new higher-gauge aircraft will feature world-class amenities and more premium seats, including Delta One Suites, which currently comprise 45% of all Delta One seats across Delta’s wide-body fleet, more Delta Premium Select and Delta Comfort in addition to Main Cabin.
These will be powered with GE Aerospace’s GEnx engines.
In Quotes
Ed Bastian, Delta’s chief executive officer.
“Delta is building the fleet for the future, enhancing the customer experience, driving operational improvements and providing steady replacements for less efficient, older aircraft in the decade to come,”
“Most importantly, these aircraft will be operated by the best aviation professionals in the industry, providing Delta’s welcoming, elevated and caring service to travelers worldwide.”
Dan Janki, Delta’s chief financial officer, added:
“Today’s 787 order adds diversity to our widebody order book, while creating cost-efficient scale across all widebody fleets,”
“Our fleet strategy is positioning Delta for the future by enhancing the customer experience and driving operational improvements.”
Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes concluded:
“We are excited that Delta Air Lines has selected the 787-10 to join its fleet of the future. The 787 Dreamliner’s unmatched efficiency, range, and passenger comfort make it a perfect fit for Delta’s international expansion and fleet modernization,”
“Our team looks forward to delivering new Dreamliners to Delta and supporting their commitments to provide an exceptional passenger experience and advance sustainability in aviation.”
Finally taking the 787 on
Delta had some 787 orders in the dim and distant past, as part of its merger with Northwest Airlines in 2008. These were finally cancelled in 2016, with the order never taken up.
With the order, the airline is diversifying its long-haul fleet, with most of the recent orders being from Airbus (with their A330neo and A350 families). In many ways, these could be drop-in replacements for existing aircraft, with the 787-10 taking the place of the Boeing 767-300ER (38) and Boeing 767-400ER (21).
Add those two numbers together – you get 59 aircraft. Pretty near the firm orders and options combined that Delta has committed to. Combined with lower cost and operational economics, this looks to be a good move for Delta.
The only fly in the ointment – there’s going to be a wait for the aircraft, with the first aircraft not due until 2031.
Well, they say patience is a virtue.
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