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.
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