Delta Air Lines announced an order for 31 Airbus long-haul jets, comprising 16 A330-900s and 15 A350-900s, as part of a strategy to upgrade its international fleet and position capacity toward higher-yield customers. The carrier said deliveries of the new Airbus widebodies are scheduled to begin in 2029.
The transaction combines a fresh purchase commitment with the conversion of 10 previously held options into firm orders. In addition to the 31 jets, Delta secured options to acquire 20 more widebody aircraft at a later date.
Delta framed the procurement as a response to resilient demand for premium international travel, particularly from corporate and affluent leisure travelers. The airline has been shifting its long-haul fleet toward newer, more fuel-efficient models to cut fuel burn and phase out older equipment. That transition has included stepping away from its 777 fleet and accelerating replacement of early-generation Airbus A330s and Boeing 767s.
The Airbus order comes after Delta's recent move to add 30 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners to its long-haul roster. Delta said it intends to deploy those 787-10s primarily on transatlantic and South American routes. The newly ordered Airbus jets will be applied to medium- and long-haul services, with examples cited by the airline including recently launched or announced routes to Taipei, Melbourne, Hong Kong and Riyadh.
Delta noted the new aircraft will be configured with an increased share of premium seating, reflecting management commentary that nearly all of the carrier's planned seat growth is concentrated in premium cabins, with only limited expansion in the main cabin. The airline expects this focus on premium configuration to align capacity with demand that contributes more heavily to profitability.
With the latest purchase, Delta said its A330-900 fleet will expand to 55 aircraft. The airline's A350 family will total 79 jets after the transaction, which includes 20 of the larger A350-1000s that are due to start arriving in early 2027.
Context and operational notes
- The order is structured as a mix of new commitments and converted options, and it carries further optionality through rights to 20 additional widebodies.
- Delta intends to use these aircraft on routes that span medium- to long-haul markets and to increase the proportion of premium seats across those cabins.