Delta Air Lines has never been vocal about the new aircraft it plans to procure to replace its aging widebody aircraft, specifically the Boeing 767s. However, Delta has revealed its future plans after confirming an order for the Airbus A350-1000.

Committed to the A350

Delta currently operates a fleet of 28 Airbus A350-900s, with 16 on order. The airline has seen great success with the A350-900, which explains its decision to acquire the larger -1000. According to Airbus, Delta has placed an order for 20 Airbus A350-1000s, with orders expected to begin in 2026. By the end of the decade, Delta will operate over 60 A350s.

The A350-1000 will be a completely new aircraft for Delta. However, regarding operational and training efficiency, airline crews should be expected to adjust rather quickly to the aircraft as, despite its larger size, the -1000 is very similar to the -900.

Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines, said regarding the airline's new order: 

"The A350-1000 will be the largest, most capable aircraft in Delta's fleet and is an important step forward for our international expansion. The aircraft complements our fleet and offers an elevated customer experience, with more premium seats and best-in-class amenities, as well as expanded cargo capabilities."

The A350 boasts reduced fuel burn and emissions and lower operational and maintenance costs. Delta ordering the A350-1000 means that maintenance and flight crews will not need much training to get accustomed to the aircraft. This is thanks to the aircraft's similarity with the A350-900 and the benefit of fleet commonality.

Delta's A350-1000

As expected, Delta plans to operate its new A350-1000 on long-haul routes across Delta's vast network. Delta may even incorporate new international destinations into its network thanks to the A350's fantastic range. The A350-1000 will feature 15% more premium seats than the aircraft it's replacing. These include DeltaOne Suites, Delta Premium Select, Comfort+, and Main Cabin.

The new aircraft will enhance the Delta passenger experience. The A350 offers a spacious and quiet cabin, high ceilings, large bin space, and customized ambient lighting to reduce fatigue and jet lag. Delta has not specified the exact cabin configuration of the aircraft. However, a 1-2-1 configuration in DeltaOne and a 2-4-2 in Premium Select can be expected.

Airbus has recently expanded the cabin space of its new A350s. Therefore, despite Delta's current A350-900s featuring a 3-3-3 layout in Main Cabin, the new -1000s may be delivered with a 3-4-3 layout thanks to the increased cabin space. This is not confirmed, however. It would be better, passenger experience-wise, for Delta to maintain the 3-3-3 configuration.

In terms of what aircraft the A350-1000 will replace, this has yet to be specified. However, Delta had announced its intention to retire older 767 aircraft by 2025. Delta's new A350-1000 order could be aimed at replacing the 767-300 and 767-400, the oldest widebodies in the fleet. Older A330-200s and -300s could also be retired later in the decade.

Once the 767s retire in the coming years, Delta will shift to an all-Airbus widebody fleet consisting of the Airbus A330-200, A330-300, A330-900neo, A350-900, and A350-1000. Delta currently operates more than 450 Airbus aircraft, with more than 200 on order. Overall, Delta has 284 narrowbody jets and 48 widebody jets on order.