ATLANTA— Delta Air Lines (DL) has notably shifted its strategy concerning widebody aircraft, moving away from the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and opting for the Airbus A350 family. Based at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), the airline has favored Airbus for its long-haul operations, a preference underscored by a recent order for the A350-1000.
Originally, Delta inherited an order for Boeing 787-8s following its merger with Northwest Airlines in 2008 but ultimately decided to cancel that agreement. Instead, the airline has committed to an all-Airbus widebody strategy, while continuing to operate an aging Boeing 767 fleet temporarily.
Delta Walks Away from Boeing 787
Delta Air Lines was set to operate the Boeing 787-8 after acquiring Northwest Airlines’ order for 18 units from 2005. Although the order was initially deferred, it was officially canceled in 2016.
Delta highlighted that this decision was aligned with its fleet strategy aimed at enhancing aircraft efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
At that time, Delta had already demonstrated a preference for the Airbus A350-900, which offers superior efficiency and longer range.
The airline formally opted for the A350 over the Boeing 787-9 in 2014, citing performance advantages and cost savings. This marked a significant change in Delta’s procurement strategy, which had traditionally favored Boeing aircraft, as reported by Simple Flying.
Airbus Takes the Lead in Delta’s Widebody Fleet
Currently, Delta’s widebody fleet includes the Airbus A330 and A350-900 (A359), with 20 A350-1000s on order.
These aircraft will enable Delta to expand or resume ultra-long-haul services, including routes to destinations such as India.
Delta’s Big Aircraft Breakdown:
| Aircraft Type | Variants | In-Service Units | Avg. Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A330 | -200, -300, -900 | 67 | 10.9 yrs |
| Airbus A350 | -900, -1000 (on order) | 32 (+20 on order) | 5.1 yrs |
| Boeing 767 | -300, -400 | 60 | 26.8 yrs |
| Boeing 757 (Single-aisle) | -200, -300 | 113 | 26.9 yrs |
Delta has also retired its Boeing 747 and 777 fleets and currently has no plans to incorporate the 787 into its operations in the foreseeable future. Recently, however, Delta Air Lines could be considering a new order for the Boeing 787.
Why the Airbus A350 Was the Better Fit
The Airbus A350 family, particularly the A350-1000, provides significant range (8,700 nautical miles), reduced fuel consumption, and enhanced passenger capacity—aligning well with Delta’s global objectives. The A350-1000 can accommodate up to 410 passengers in a typical three-class configuration and offers 25% better fuel efficiency compared to older twin-aisle planes.
Delta’s decision was influenced by Airbus’s use of advanced materials like carbon-fiber reinforced plastic and innovative aerodynamics. In contrast, the Boeing 787-8 did not fulfill Delta’s size and range needs, particularly in replacing aircraft such as the 767-300ER on transatlantic routes.
Delta Waited for the Unbuilt 797
Despite this transition to Airbus for its widebody needs, Delta continues to operate 60 Boeing 767s, which are essential for serving medium and long-haul routes to Europe and South America.
Delta had anticipated that Boeing would eventually launch the 797, which was intended to be a successor to the 767 but has not yet been realized.
This situation presents Delta with limited alternatives for smaller widebody options: either the Airbus A330-800neo or the Boeing 787-8. With no replacements currently on order, Delta may soon need to take decisive action as the 767s approach retirement.
Will Delta Order the A321XLR or a Small Widebody?
As of now, Delta has not placed any orders for Airbus A321LR or A321XLR aircraft, despite their potential to replace aging 757s and adapt to thinner long-haul routes.
With the 767-300ERs nearing the end of their operational life, an order for either smaller widebody or long-range narrowbody aircraft is likely imminent.
Delta’s long-term strategy currently seems to favor Airbus, but whether this allegiance will extend into the small widebody segment remains uncertain.
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Based on an article from aviationa2z.com: https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/07/16/delta-dont-fly-boeing-787-beacuse-of-797-why/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=delta-dont-fly-boeing-787-beacuse-of-797-why
