Air TransportDelta orders Boeing 787 for the first time, adding Dreamliner to widebody fleet
Delta Air Lines has placed its first-ever order for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, committing to 30 787-10 widebody aircraft, the carrier announced on January 13. The deal also includes options for a further 30 airplanes.
The agreement represents a milestone for the American airline, which until then was the only one among the three largest US airlines that had never ordered the 787, already in service with American Airlines and United Airlines for years.
Deliveries of the 787-10s are scheduled to begin in 2031, introducing a new widebody type into Delta’s fleet. The order complements a previous commitment for 100 Boeing 737-10 aircraft, with deliveries of the narrowbody model expected to start following certification.
Delta has not disclosed which aircraft types will be replaced by the 787-10. However, the new jets are expected to take over missions currently flown by older widebodies, most notably the Boeing 767-300 and 767-400 fleets.
The 787-10 is expected to be deployed on high-demand transatlantic and South American routes. In Delta configuration, the aircraft will offer 301 seats, including 85 premium seats, and a maximum range of around 6,300 miles.
The airline says the type will deliver approximately 25% better fuel efficiency per seat compared with the previous-generation widebody aircraft it is intended to replace, while also providing higher capacity and improved cargo capability.
GEnx engines
Delta has selected GE Aerospace’s GEnx engines to power its 787-10 fleet and has entered into a services agreement covering engine maintenance. The GEnx is one of two engine options available for the 787 family, alongside the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000.
With the latest commitments, Delta now has 232 narrowbody and 54 widebody aircraft on order for delivery in the coming years.
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