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ATLANTA — Delta Air Lines (DL) announced a firm order with Airbus on Wednesday for 16 A330-900s and 15 A350-900s. The order will grow each fleet to 55 and 59, respectively, plus 20 A350-1000s, bringing the future A350 fleet to 79 jets.
The order exercises 10 options Delta held for Airbus widebodies and adds another 20 to the books for future orders. Deliveries for this new order are expected to begin in 2029.
The order comes on the heels of the carrier’s monumental order for up to 60 Boeing 787-10 placed two weeks ago; its first direct order for the Dreamliner and first direct order for Boeing widebodies since 2008.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian commented on the order, saying, “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, added, “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.”
Today, Delta’s Airbus fleet consists of 45 A220-100s, 36 A220-300s, 57 A319s, 45 A320s, 127 A321s, 87 A321neos, 11 A330-200s, 31 A330-300s, 39 A330-900s and 40 A350-900s, for a total of 518 jets. In the order book, the airline is expecting 64 A220-300s, 68 A321neos, 16 A330-900s, 19 A350-900s and 20 A350-1000s.
Featured image: Delta Air Lines
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