Summary
- Delta Air Lines added over 40 recent Airbus jets to its fleet in 2023.
- It’s unique fleet strategy includes three aircraft types that its competitors don’t operate.
- The airline will soon operate more Airbus aircraft than Boeing aircraft.
Delta Air Lines grew its already large fleet of aircraft in 2023, with the addition of greater than 40 recent planes. All, that are Airbus jets, add to the Atlanta-based carrier’s operating workforce of greater than 880 aircraft.
With a singular fleet strategy, Delta’s operation is supported by three aircraft types that its two legacy airline competitors don’t currently operate. Seeing success within the planes, the carrier has committed to receiving more examples of the categories.
Contained in the numbers: The Delta fleet
Delta recently announced it welcomed 43 recent Airbus aircraft last 12 months, comprising the A220-300, A321neo, and A330-900neo variants. Greater than half of the quantity were A321neos, with 27 examples delivered. Nine aircraft were A220-300s, and the remaining seven were next-generation A330s.
Photo: Joe Kunzler | Easy Flying
In line with ch-aviation, the airline operates a complete of 983 planes, but only 887 are currently lively. Among the many lively jets, 466 are Boeing aircraft, while 421 are Airbus-made. The A321ceo and the 737-900ER are the aircraft types Delta has probably the most examples of, at 120 and 155, respectively.
All-new airbus aircraft
The addition of 27 A321neos brings the whole variety of examples to 50. The plane type, which first entered service with Delta in 2022, has been a game changer to the carrier’s operation, primarily flying transcontinental and transpacific routes. The aircraft was also the primary to feature recent domestic top notch seats and an updated inflight entertainment system with Bluetooth connectivity. It accommodates 194 passengers across a three-class format: 20 top notch seats, 42 Comfort+ seats, and 132 seats within the important cabin. With 50 jets, Delta still awaits the delivery of 105 aircraft to finish its order of 155 examples.
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The A220-300 also complements Delta’s extensive domestic route network. The plane, which has a capability of 130 passengers, is basically the direct substitute of the carrier’s former 737-700 fleet. With nine recent additions, Delta now operates a complete of 23 A220-300s – with 77 still on order. Currently, the airline has more examples of the A220-100 variant at 45, however the -300 fleet will surpass that when all aircraft are delivered.
Photo: Airbus
Delta stands out because the only US airline to operate the A330-900neo. Receiving seven recent jets brings the whole to 27 aircraft. The airline committed to 39 planes, meaning 12 have yet to be delivered. The plane type enhances Delta’s international operations, accommodating 281 passengers in 4 classes. There are 29 luxurious Delta One suites that feature fully lie-flat beds. Within the Premium Select cabin, there are 28 recliner seats. 56 economy seats are designated as Comfort+, featuring more legroom, while 168 regular seats complete the important cabin.
Different from its competitors
The A330-900neo and the A350-900 are jointly deployed on ultra-long-haul routes across the globe but in addition occasionally fly inside the US on transcontinental or hub-to-hub flights. Delta can be the one US airline to operate the A350 and recently committed to twenty examples of the larger A350-1000 variant.
Other US airlines do operate the A220, but Delta is the only real legacy carrier as American Airlines and United Airlines don’t, further highlighting its distinct fleet strategy. Within the widebody sector, American and United have opted for Boeing aircraft for his or her long-haul services.
While Delta currently operates more Boeing aircraft than Airbus, it should soon change through the years. The airline currently has 228 Airbus aircraft on order comprising multiple aircraft types in comparison with only 100 commitments for the 737 MAX 10.
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