Delta Air Lines will expand its wide-body fleet with 20 new Airbus A350-1000 aircraft on order for delivery from 2026. It currently operates 28 A350-900s and with another 36 A350 aircraft on order, Delta will have 60-plus A350s by 2030.
The fleet upgrade news comes as Delta reported record 2023 full-year financial results with operating revenue of USD$54.7 billion (approximately AUD$82 billion), up 20 per cent on 2022.
It will use the new A350-1000 aircraft on long-haul and international routes to support expansion, replace retiring planes and fuel global growth.
The airline expects to operate the largest international schedule in its history in 2024, which includes the newly launched Auckland-LA route, connecting the US and New Zealand for the first time, and doubling the SYD-LAX service in December.
Quieter, more spacious, more sustainable
The investment in the state-of-the-art, next-gen Airbus A350-1000s also means more fuel-efficient planes to reach the carrier’s long-term sustainability goals.
The A350-1000 aircraft is 20 per cent more fuel efficient with lower fuel burn per available seat mile than retiring planes.
The airline’s A350-1000s will also feature more amenities with 15 per cent more premium seats along with the Main Cabin and free inflight Wi-Fi.
The A350-1000s have a spacious and quiet cabin, high ceilings, expansive bin space and customised ambient lighting to reduce fatigue and jet lag on long flights.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian said: “The A350-1000 will be the largest, most capable aircraft in our fleet and is an important step forward for our international expansion.”
“The aircraft complements our fleet and offers an elevated customer experience with more premium seats and best-in-class amenities as well as expanded cargo capabilities.”
For more info, head to delta.com
