SEATTLE — Delta Air Lines (DL) has placed its first direct order for Boeing 787 Dreamliners, committing to up to 60 widebody jets to drive international growth and fleet renewal.
The order consists of 30 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, with options for up to 30 additional aircraft, marking its first direct purchase of the 787 family. The agreement was announced on January 13, 2026 in Seattle, Boeing’s commercial aircraft hub, with the aircraft slated to serve Delta’s transatlantic and South American networks.
The deal signals DL’s long-term strategy to replace older widebody aircraft with higher operating costs and support sustainable growth with more fuel-efficient, passenger-friendly jets, while deepening its industrial partnership with Boeing.
The direct Dreamliner order accompanies DL's news that it closed 2025 with $5B in pre-tax profit and record free cash flow, signaling margin expansion and 20% earnings growth in 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Aircraft type: Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner (largest variant of the 787 family)
- Order size: 30 firm + up to 30 options (total up to 60)
- Efficiency: ~25% lower fuel use than the aircraft being replaced
- Capacity: Up to 336 passengers per aircraft
- Strategic impact: Brings Delta’s total Boeing order book to 130 aircraft, including 100 737-10s
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