Delta Air Lines (DL, Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson) has ordered twenty A350-1000s from Airbus, with options for a further twenty of them, it announced in a statement on Friday, January 12. Deliveries are set to begin in 2026.
The ch-aviation fleets module shows that the carrier already operates twenty-eight A350-900s with a further six of the type due to be delivered, but the -1000 will be a new aircraft type in Delta Air Lines’ fleet.
“In addition to improved fuel efficiency, these aircraft will add higher gauge, including more premium seating and greater cargo capabilities, to Delta’s international widebody fleet,” the statement said, clarifying that the order is within the company’s previously announced capital expenditure and capacity targets.
Delta also announced an agreement with Rolls-Royce to service the A350-1000’s Trent XWB-97 engines.
“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, the airline’s chief executive.
Of Delta Air Lines’ 981-strong fleet, its widebodies comprise eleven A330-200s, thirty-one A330-300s, twenty-seven A330-900Ns, the twenty-eight A350-900s, forty-five B767-300ERs, and twenty-one B767-400ERs. Of the 288 aircraft it has on order, 208 are from Airbus including those in the latest agreement.
As ch-aviation reported last May, Delta Air Lines was said to be in talks with the European manufacturer about an order for “dozens” of widebodies. Speculation that Delta has been looking at the A350-1000 dates back to late 2022.
