Delta Air Lines has ordered 30 additional A321neo aircraft in addition to their existing order book for 125 of the type, as the airline continues their strategic fleet renewal program. The new order increases Delta’s outstanding A321neo orders to 155 aircraft.
On Tuesday (August 24, 2021), Airbus announced that Delta Air Lines has ordered an additional 30 A321neo aircraft as part of their ongoing fleet renewal program. The carrier previously ordered 125 of the aircraft type, bringing their outstanding order book to 155 Airbus A321neos. The aircraft will be powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1100G turbofan engines delivering a 12 percent improvement in fuel efficiency per seat compared to Delta’s A321ceos. Delta’s new A321neos will be configured with 194 seats including 20 First Class, 42 Delta Comfort+ and 132 Main Cabin seats. The carrier will receive the first of their 155 A321neos on order during the first half of 2022 through 2027 and plans on deploying the aircraft primarily across their extensive domestic network.
In Tuesday’s announcement, Delta Air Lines’ Senior Vice President – Fleet and TechOps Supply Chain, Mahendra Nair, 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.”
Also commenting on the Additional A321neo order, Airbus’ Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International, Christian Scherer, 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 has taken delivery of 87 U.S. manufactured Airbus aircraft since 2016 and many of the new A321neos will be delivered from the Airbus manufacturing facility on Mobile, Alabama. At the end of July, Delta had a fleet of 358 Airbus aircraft including 50 A220s, 240 A320 Family, 53 A330s and 15 A350 XWB aircraft. Delta currently operates 121 Airbus A320ceos, with six remaining on order. In addition to the 155 Airbus A320neos on order, the airline has purchase rights for 70 more aircraft. In total, Delta currently has 288 purchase commitments for both widebody and standard body aircraft.
Delta’s new A321neos will include a new First Class seating design with a larger, sturdier tray table, more storage space for personal items and enhanced memory foam cushions. All guests will enjoy access to Delta’s wireless inflight entertainment system, developed by the airline’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Delta Flight Products. The aircraft also features spacious overhead bins, as well as Wi-Fi access and power ports for personal electronic devices.
Source(s): Airbus, Delta Air Lines