ATLANTA— Delta Air Lines (DL) has strategically transitioned its widebody fleet away from the Boeing 787 Dreamliner in favor of the Airbus A350 family. Based at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), the airline has solidified this direction with a recent order for the A350-1000.
Following its merger with Northwest Airlines in 2008, Delta inherited an order for Boeing 787-8s but later decided to cancel this agreement. Instead, the airline has pledged to an all-Airbus widebody future while continuing to operate an aging Boeing 767 fleet as a temporary solution.
Delta Moves Away from Boeing 787
Delta Air Lines initially intended to operate the Boeing 787-8 after acquiring Northwest Airlines’ order for 18 aircraft from 2005. However, the order was officially canceled in 2016 after being deferred.
This decision was made to align with Delta’s fleet strategy aimed at optimizing aircraft efficiency and reducing costs.
At the time of cancellation, Delta had already expressed a preference for the Airbus A350-900, which offered better efficiency and a longer range.
In 2014, Delta formally chose the A350 over the Boeing 787-9, citing performance advantages and cost-effectiveness. This decision marked a significant shift from Delta’s traditionally Boeing-focused procurement strategy, as reported by Simple Flying.
Airbus Dominates Delta’s Widebody Fleet
Delta’s current widebody fleet comprises the Airbus A330 and the Airbus A350-900 (A359), with an additional 20 A350-1000s on order.
These aircraft will empower Delta to extend or reinitiate ultra-long-haul services, including routes to destinations like India.
Delta’s Aircraft Composition:
| 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 has no immediate plans to incorporate the 787, although discussions about a potential new order for the 787 have emerged recently: Delta Air Lines May Place New Order for Boeing 787.
The Case for the Airbus A350
The Airbus A350 family, particularly the A350-1000, presents valuable features such as a range of 8,700 nautical miles, reduced fuel consumption, and enhanced capacity—aligning perfectly with Delta’s global aspirations. The A350-1000 can accommodate up to 410 passengers in a standard three-class configuration and boasts a 25% improvement in fuel efficiency compared to older twin-aisle aircraft.
Airbus’ commitment to advanced materials like carbon-fiber reinforced plastics and state-of-the-art aerodynamics was crucial in Delta’s decision-making process. Conversely, the Boeing 787-8 fell short of meeting Delta’s requirements for size and range, especially as it sought to replace the 767-300ER on transatlantic flights.
The Anticipation for the Unbuilt 797
While Delta embraces Airbus for widebodies, it continues to operate 60 Boeing 767s, which remain vital for various medium and long-haul routes to Europe and South America.
Delta had anticipated Boeing’s launch of the 797, intended as a successor to the 767, but this launch has yet to occur.
This situation leaves Delta with limited options for a small widebody, primarily the Airbus A330-800neo or the Boeing 787-8. Without a new replacement ordered, Delta may soon face the necessity to make a decision, particularly as it nears the retirement of its 767 fleet.
Future Ordering: A321XLR or Small Widebody?
Delta has not yet placed orders for any Airbus A321LR or A321XLR aircraft, despite their capabilities to supplant aging 757s and accommodate lighter long-haul routes.
As the retirement of Delta’s 767-300ERs approaches, a procurement for either small widebodies or long-range narrowbodies seems imminent.
Although Delta’s long-term approach leans toward Airbus, the possibility of extending this preference to 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
