Delta’s Latest A321neo Order Grows Its Firm Backlog to 351 Aircraft

Corrected - 2026 is just two months old, but Delta Air Lines has already finalised three significant aircraft orders to continue its fleet renewal strategy. The latest was announced on February 27 and sees the exercise of 34 options for Airbus A321neos, to be powered by Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan engines. The options are part of several previous orders for the A321neo. The first was placed on December 22, 2017, for 100 firm plus 100 options. This was followed by another for 25 firm on April 22, 2021. Four months later, on August 20, 2021, Delta topped this up with another 30 A321neos, bringing firm orders to 155 aircraft and options to 70. The latest order exercises 34 options with 36 remaining. The first A321neo was delivered on March 22, 2022. Since then and until January 31, 87 had been delivered to the airline, although Delta mentions 92 deliveries in the media release about the latest order. All aircraft are owned by the airline, compared to its older A321ceo fleet, of which 50 out of 127 aircraft are either on financial or operating leases. Deliveries of the first aircraft of the latest batch are scheduled for 2029, providing Delta with a continuous stream of A321neos. For this year, Delta counts on 20 deliveries from Airbus, 42 in 2027, and six in 2028. This schedule excludes the latest order. Delta is most satisfied with the type, as the airline’s Vice President of Fleet, Kirsten Bojko, is quoted in the media release: "The A321neo has proven to be an exceptional aircraft for Delta, delivering industry-leading efficiency while offering the premium experience our customers value. By exercising these options, we’re continuing to invest in a fleet that improves our cost structure, supports our sustainability goals and gives us powerful flexibility to serve our customers well into the next decade.” [caption id="attachment_66230" align="aligncenter" width="719"] Delta 737 Max 10[/caption] Narrowbodies Except for the growing number of A321neos and A321ceos, Delta’s narrowbody fleet also includes 57 A319ceos and 46 A320ceos, plus 45 A220-100s and 36 A220-300s, all owned aircraft. The carrier has unfilled orders for 64 A220-300s, with 24 due this year, 18 in 2027, 10 in 2028, and 12 after 2028. According to Delta's 10K filing on February 11, the narrowbody Boeing fleet includes 80 717s, 77 737-800s, and 163 737-900ERs. Delta has firm orders for 100 MAX 10s plus 30 options that it placed at the 2022 Farnborough Airshow. Deliveries depend on the certification of the type, which Boeing hopes to get this year, followed by first deliveries in 2027. Delta’s projected delivery schedule includes 27 MAX 10s in 2027, 39 in 2028, and 34 after 2028. [caption id="attachment_189696" align="aligncenter" width="719"] Delta Airbus A350-900 and A330-900[/caption] Widebodies On January 13, Delta Air Lines disclosed a firm order for 30 Boeing 787-10s plus 30 options, all with General Electric GEnx engines, to beef up its widebody fleet. This is Delta's first order for the Dreamliner. The type will be deployed on the Transatlantic and South American networks. Deliveries will start in 2031 when the 787s will replace the ageing 767-300s and 400s, of which there are 39 and 21 respectively in service today. A month ago, on January 27, Delta announced incremental orders for 16 Airbus A330-900s and 15 A350-900s. The order is partly new, partly a conversion of 10 options, with new options placed for 20 aircraft. Delta’s fleet already includes 39 A330-900s, of which 32 are owned, two are on financial leases, and five are on operating leases. Four more deliveries are planned this year. With the new order, the A330-900 fleet will grow to 55 aircraft. The incremental order brings the A350-900 fleet to 59 aircraft. It currently stands at 40, with 29 owned aircraft and 11 on operating lease. Delta also has orders for 20 A350-1000s, with the first eight aircraft due in 2027 and the remaining 12 in 2028. Adding up the numbers for all unfilled orders, Delta’s backlog has grown to 351 firm orders now, plus 116 options. (This story has been updated to correct mistakes in the firm order count and existing fleet number)

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