US-based
Delta Air Lines has ordered 30 additional Airbus A321neo aircraft to help meet the airline’s future fleet requirements. The newly-ordered aircraft are in addition to an existing order for 125 of the aircraft, bringing the outstanding orders from Delta to 155 A321neos.
Mahendra Nair, Delta’s senior vice president (Fleet and TechOps Supply Chain), said: “Adding these aircraft strengthens Delta’s commitment to replacing older fleets with more sustainable, efficient jets, and offering the best customer experience in the industry.
“Delta appreciates the extensive partnership with the Airbus team in support of our strategic growth plans, and we look forward to continuing to work together throughout the recovery and beyond.”
Christian Scherer, chief commercial officer and head of Airbus International, said: “As the industry looks to emerge from the pandemic, Delta is showing responsible leadership and casting a strong vote of confidence now in the A321neo.
“With orders for 30 more of an aircraft that is in very high demand around the globe, our partners at Delta are underscoring the strategic role they see for the A321neo with its outstanding environmental performance for the airline’s renowned customer service and reliability for years into the future.”
Delta’s A321neos will be powered by next-generation Pratt & Whitney PW1100G turbofan engines that bring significant efficiency gains over Delta’s current, already-efficient A321 aircraft. Equipped with total seating for 194 customers with 20 in first class, 42 in Delta Comfort+ and 132 in the main cabin, Delta’s A321neos will be used mainly across the airline’s extensive domestic network, complementing Delta’s current A321 fleet of more than 120 aircraft. The airline is scheduled to receive the first of its 155 A321neo aircraft early next year.
Many of Delta’s A321neos will be delivered from the Airbus US manufacturing facility in Mobile, Alabama. The airline has taken delivery of 87 US-manufactured Airbus aircraft since 2016.
As of the end of July, Delta’s fleet of Airbus aircraft numbered 358, including 50 A220 aircraft, 240 A320s, 53 A330s and 15 A350 XWB aircraft.