It seems Delta’s fleet expansion is continuing unabated, with the airline signing for 31 additional widebody aircraft from Airbus.
Delta Airbus A330neo and Airbus A350 – Image Airbus
The 31 additional aircraft have been broken down as 16 A330-900s and 15 A350-900s. Once delivered, Delta’s widebody fleet will have grown to 55 A330neo and 79 A350s. These aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce engines – the A330neos by the Trent 7000 and A350-900s by the Trent XWB-84 EP.
Delta Air Lines currently operates more than 500 Airbus aircraft from all of the Airbus product families, from the A220 to the A350-900.
Delta Air Lines’ current Airbus backlog is around 200 aircraft and includes the A350-1000 aircraft.
All of Delta’s new widebody aircraft in the coming years will feature larger premium cabins with state-of-the-art amenities, including Delta One Suites, Delta Premium Select and Delta Comfort in addition to Delta Main. They will also include free in-flight entertainment from Delta Sync seatback, free, fast in-flight Delta Sync Wi-Fi, with premium food and beverage options.
In Quotes
Ed Bastian, Chief Executive Officer, said:
“As we grow our international footprint and prepare our fleet to serve expanded long-haul markets, these aircraft will enhance our capabilities and elevate our premium offerings,”
“We value our long-standing partnership with Airbus, and with these widebody aircraft we will see additional operational efficiencies and long-term cost benefits in the years to come.”
Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business.
“Delta’s renewed confidence in both the A330neo and the A350 is a testament to our enduring partnership and the excellence of the Airbus widebody family performance,”
“These aircraft offer the range, capacity, and premium cabin experience Delta requires to grow into new markets and connect more of the world.”
Rob Watson, President – Civil Aerospace, Rolls-Royce, said:
“Rolls-Royce is proud to have Delta Air Lines as our largest partner in the Americas, and we look forward to continuing to grow the fleet with their selection of more A330neos powered by the Trent 7000 and A350-900s powered by the Trent XWB-84 EP – all supported by our unparalleled TotalCare services offering. This reorder underpins our combined commitment to reliability, durability, and customer success.”
Building the backlog, replacing the fleet
With the commitments announced, Delta has 232 narrowbody and 85 widebody aircraft on order for delivery in the coming years. This includes the 30 Boeing 787-10s with GE Engines ordered earlier this year (with 30 additional options).
With the 787-10 set to become the transatlantic/South America capacity monsters, the A330neos will be the smaller long-haul aircraft, with A350 carrying long-haul operations, the A330neo and 787-10 would have issues with.
In addition, this is also about getting those valuable delivery slots. With deliveries for new aircraft stretching into the 2030s, having those delivery positions will be important as the airline flexes its priorities.
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