Delta Air Lines has confirmed an order for 25 Airbus A350-900s for delivery beginning in 2017 and 25 A330-900neo aircraft that will start entering the fleet in 2019.
Both types powered by Rolls-Royce Trent engines will replace the Boeing 747 and 767.
Delta selected the Airbus widebodies over a rival bid from Boeing based on the 787-9.
A350-900
Airbus
“The A350 and A330neo support our long-haul, transoceanic strategy and join a mix of Boeing and Airbus aircraft,” says Nat Pieper, Delta’s vice-president of fleet strategy and transactions.
Delta will deploy the Trent XWB-powered A350-900s mostly on long-range routes to Asia from the USA. The Trent 7000-powered A330s, meanwhile, will operate medium-haul, transatlantic routes and some routes to Asia from the US west coast.
Delta expects the A350-900 to reduce operating cost per seat by 20% compared to the 747-400. The A330-900 should be 20% more efficient on a per-seat basis than the 767-300ER, the carrier says.
A330-900neo
Airbus
Airbus chief operating officer John Leahy calls Delta’s decision a “massive endorsement” of the airframe’s widebody portfolio.
“Airbus is unique in offering an optimised long-range choice in aircraft that will allow Delta to continue to modernise its fleet and customise its use with the most efficient and comfortable aircraft available,” Leahy says in a statement.
The announcement adds to a fleet renewal that Delta launched in 2011 with orders for the 737-900ER, Bombardier CRJ-900, Airbus A321, Airbus A330 and used Boeing 717s.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
