As the travel industry rebounds post-pandemic Delta Air Lines, is reportedly in advanced talks with Airbus about a significant widebody order. This move is fuelled by the revitalized demand for international and transatlantic routes. In fact, the airline has bolstered its seat offering on international routes by more than 20% compared to the previous year.
An impressive 75% of all global seats are already booked, signaling the momentum the industry is witnessing. This information was shared by Delta’s President, Glen Hauenstein, who expressed his optimism saying, “We are excited with the momentum we’re seeing and expect record revenues and profitability for the summer travel season.”
The Widebody Fleet Expansion
The surge in travel has led Delta to operate its most extensive transatlantic schedule ever, causing an upswing in demand across the entire travel industry. To cater to this, Delta is contemplating an order comprising Airbus A350 and Airbus A330NEO jets. The order could potentially extend to dozens of aircraft to meet the increasing demand and phase out older planes.
Delta has a history with both these Airbus models. With 28 Airbus A350s of two different configurations, Delta already benefits from this plane’s advantages. Moreover, it holds the title as the world’s largest operator of the Airbus A330, boasting 63 of these planes in its fleet. This includes 21 A330NEO models, renowned for their superior fuel economy. The airline also possesses older Airbus A330-200 and A330-300 models, averaging 18 and 14 years respectively.
Rejuvenating the Fleet
The potential order also provides an opportunity for Delta to replace the aging aircraft in its fleet, notably its Boeing 767s. With 66 of these aircraft, the 45 Boeing 767-300ERs have an average age of 27 years, while the 21 Boeing 767-400ERs average over 22 years.
Expanding Horizons: New Routes and Frequencies
To capitalize on the rising travel demand, Delta has recently declared an increase in the frequency of specific routes to Europe. This includes extending the New York City to Geneva route until the first week of January 2024 and augmenting the frequency of flights from both Boston to Dublin and Atlanta to Paris. In a strategic move to meet current and projected demand, Delta will also initiate year-round service from Boston to Lisbon.
In a time of burgeoning travel demand, Delta’s potential widebody order presents a strategic move towards accommodating increased flights post-pandemic and retiring older planes. As Delta continues to navigate these unprecedented times, its unwavering commitment to meeting customer needs is ever apparent. Its fleet rejuvenation plans and route expansions exemplify this dedication, promising a smoother and more enjoyable travel experience for its passengers.
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