Delta Air Lines (Delta) has placed a firm order for 30 state-of-the-art Airbus A320neos, the European plane manufacturer's cutting-edge, fuel-efficient, large-gauge, narrow-body aircraft. The order is part of Delta's continued refreshing and upgrading of its existing fleet with the multiple objectives of supporting the American carrier's commitment to carbon neutrality, while also boosting operational simplification, achieve economies of scale, and drive productivity.
Delta is converting purchase rights for the aircraft into firm orders under its existing A321neo purchase agreement with Airbus. It follows a similar transaction in April, when Delta and Airbus converted 25 A321neo purchase rights into firm orders and added 25 incremental A321neo options. Delta operates 121 of the larger-gauge A321ceo family, and including this latest order, has purchase commitments of 155 firm A321neos, as well as six remaining A321ceo deliveries. Delta has purchase rights for a further 70 A321neos. These purchase commitments will meet Delta's future needs with its replacement of older, less fuel-efficient narrowbody aircraft. In total, Delta now has 288 aircraft purchase commitments, including wide-body and narrow-body jets.
Delta anticipates taking delivery of its first A321neo in the first half of 2022, continuing through 2027. Many of Delta's A321neos will be delivered from the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility in Mobile, Alabama. The airline has taken delivery of 87 U.S.-manufactured Airbus aircraft since 2016.
“Adding these aircraft strengthens Delta's commitment to replacing older fleets with more sustainable, fuel-efficient jets, and offers the best customer experience in the industry,” said Mahendra Nair, Delta's S.V.P. – Fleet and TechOps Supply Chain. “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 in the years ahead.”
