Delta Air Lines orders 20 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft

Delta Air Lines has chosen Airbus to meet its needs for modern efficient widebodies having placed a first order for 20 A350-1000 aircraft. The A350-1000 will be a new aircraft type in Delta’s fleet.

“We are thankful for Delta’s continued confidence in Airbus’ solutions to meet its fleet needs,” said Christian Scherer, CEO of the Airbus Commercial Aircraft business. “Delta was the first U.S. airline to operate the A350-900 and is doing so with great success. Delta now welcomes the A350-1000, which will open even more opportunities for the airline and its customers. We are proud that our aircraft serve the entirety of Delta’s impressive global network as this stellar airline takes fleet efficiency to the next level.”

“The A350-1000 will be the largest, most capable aircraft in Delta’s fleet and is an important step forward for our international expansion,” said Ed Bastian, Delta’s CEO. “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.”

The aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, a more powerful variant of the engine that operates on the A350-900. The aircraft are more than 20% more fuel efficient than retiring planes, supporting Delta’s long-term sustainability goals.

Delta Air Lines currently operates more than 450 Airbus aircraft from all of the Airbus product families from the A220 to the A350-900, with more than 200 additional on order.

Once added to the fleet, Delta will benefit from the A350-1000’s operational efficiency, which results in reduced fuel burn and emissions and lower operating and maintenance costs, while passengers will enjoy the comfort of the Airbus Airspace cabin with its spacious and quiet cabin, wide seats, high ceilings, and customizable ambient lighting designed to reduce fatigue and jet-lag on long flights.

The A350 widebody aircraft offers 300 to 410 seats, flying efficiently on short-haul to ultra-long-haul routes up to 9,700nm. Its clean sheet design includes state-of-the-art technologies, aerodynamics, lightweight materials, and latest generation engines that together deliver 25% advantage in fuel burn, operating costs, and CO₂ emissions, as well as 50% noise footprint reduction compared to previous generation competitor aircraft.

The A350 has more than 1,206 orders from 58 customers from around the world.