In the age of chasing every sustainability win, Delta Air Lines will install a finlet modification package from Vortex Control Technologies (VCT) across its Boeing 737-800 and 737-900ER fleet, with 240 aircraft to be fitted.
Wait… Finlets?
How Finlets work
Finlets are aerodynamic devices installed on the aft fuselage of an aircraft that reshape airflow, reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency. All aircraft generate vortices in flight, particularly at the wing tips and aft fuselage. VCT’s Finlets reduce flow separation and improve the pressure distribution along the aft fuselage, resulting in lower fuel consumption and reduced carbon emissions.
Vortex Control Technologies Finlets – Image, Vortex Control Technologies.
The finlet implementation builds on Delta’s ongoing fleet modification approach and was cemented with safety and strategy in mind. The assessment encompassed flight test validation, analysis of operational trends and engineering review of aerodynamic performance using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis on Delta’s 737NG aircraft.
Deployment
Delta and VCT have conducted an extensive trial, with them deciding to move forward with the technology following s a comprehensive technical collaboration and in-service evaluation between the two companies, including analysis of flight test data, operational trends and engineering review of aerodynamic performance.
As a result of the trial, Delta will equip its Boeing 737-800 and 737-900ER fleet with Finlets, as the airline continues to focus on reducing fuel consumption, lowering emissions and improving operational efficiency.
With approximately 90% of Delta’s carbon emissions originating from jet fuel consumption, initiatives such as Finlets play an important role in improving fleet efficiency while supporting the airline’s broader sustainability objectives.
In Quotes
Gil Morgan, Chief Executive Officer of Vortex Control Technologies.
“Equipping these Boeing 737-800 and 737-900ER fleetswith Finlets represents a significant milestone for VCT. We are proud to provide a practical technology that helps airlines improve fuel efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and enhance operating economics,”
Amelia DeLuca, Delta’s Chief Sustainability Officer, added:
“Delta seeks out partners and innovations that enhance performance, reduce environmental impact and generate long‑term operational benefits,” said “We appreciate the strong partnership with VCT throughout the evaluation process and are looking forward to this implementation to further support our ongoing fleet efficiency initiatives.”
By moving forward with this sustainability program, Delta continues to advance its environmental commitments, driven by the dedication and hard work of the teams that made the evaluation possible.”
It’s all about those fuel savings
With fuel being one of the highest costs of operating an airline, airlines seek to reduce weight or add technology to enable them to save fuel – be it wingtip devices on the edges of the wing (with wingtip fences, winglets, sharklets, blended winglets, schimitar winglets… the list goes on) or in the cabin (with the drive for lighter seats and cabin interiors).
In turn, this drives the sustainability agenda, as a reduced fuel burn results in fewer emissions being emitted. Again, multiplied over a fleet, these turn into numbers that make a difference.
With VCT claiming a saving of $125,000 per annum (based on 1.4% fuel savings), that scales up quickly across a fleet of 240 aircraft.
And it’s entirely likely a lot of airlines will be looking at Delta’s testing, as well as the in-service results, and consider if this technology is a good fit for their fleets – and some have already included Sun Express and Norwegian Air Shuttle, given it has had EASA approval in the bag.
Images credits
- Delta 737-900ER – Delta Air Lines
- Finlet Image, Vortex Control Technologies
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Congrats to Gil and the VCT team. I can’t believe it has taken this long for something so simple, but that is the regulatory process. It was 2017 or 2018 when we had discussions about Aeromexico being the launch customer for this product.