Boeing and Delta Air Lines said on Tuesday January 13 that the U.S. carrier has placed its first direct order for Boeing 787 Dreamliners, committing to 30 787-10 aircraft with options for up to 30 additional jets, as part of a long-haul fleet renewal and international expansion strategy.
See Delta Air Lines environmental and comfort index.
The order marks Deltaโs first purchase of the 787 from Boeing and is aimed at replacing older, less fuel-efficient widebody aircraft – 767s- while supporting growth on high-demand transatlantic and South American routes. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The Boeing 787-10, the largest variant of the Dreamliner family, can carry up to 336 passengers and offers fuel consumption around 25% lower than the aircraft it is expected to replace, according to Boeing. The model is designed to deliver lower operating costs per seat than other widebody aircraft and features larger windows and lower cabin altitude pressurisation intended to improve passenger comfort.
Delta currently operates more than 460 Boeing aircraft across its network, including both single-aisle and widebody types. The airline has previously flown most Boeing commercial models during its history.
With the latest transaction, Deltaโs firm Boeing order backlog rises to 130 aircraft. That total includes an existing order for 100 Boeing 737-10 narrowbody jets. Boeing said the combined 787-10 and 737-10 orders will support Deltaโs network expansion while contributing to U.S. aerospace manufacturing and its supply chain.
The agreement further deepens the long-standing commercial relationship between Boeing and Delta as the airline continues to modernise its fleet amid rising international travel demand.
