Delta Bets on Dreamliner: Orders Up to 60 787-10s to Modernize Its Long-Haul Fleet
Delta Air Lines took a significant step in its fleet and international network strategy by placing its first direct order for the Boeing 787, committing to 30 units of the 787-10, the largest member of the Dreamliner family, with an option for 30 additional aircraft.
The order is clearly aimed at boosting long-haul growth and progressively renewing its wide-body fleet, with a focus on high-demand transatlantic routes and services to South America—two key markets within Delta’s international portfolio.
The 787-10 as a Pillar of Efficiency and Capacity
With a capacity of up to 336 passengers, the Boeing 787-10 offers up to a 25% lower fuel burn compared to the aircraft it will replace in Delta’s fleet. This advantage translates into the lowest operating cost per seat of any wide-body aircraft currently in service, a critical factor for an industry pressured by tight margins and fuel price volatility.
Passenger Experience: A Key Commercial Argument
Beyond efficiency, Delta emphasizes the product. The Dreamliner features the largest windows of any operational wide-body aircraft, along with a pressurization system that maintains the cabin at a lower equivalent altitude, which helps passengers arrive “more rested” at their destination, as highlighted by the manufacturer.
These attributes reinforce Delta’s strategy of positioning its brand in the premium long-haul segment, where the onboard experience is a decisive factor against both traditional and emerging competitors.
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Corporate Vision: Fleet, People, and the Long Term
Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines, framed the move within a long-term vision: building “the fleet of the future,” improving the customer experience, and achieving sustained operational advancements, without losing sight of the role of the human factor. He emphasized that these aircraft will be operated by “the best aviation professionals in the industry,” a message that connects fleet, service, and corporate culture.
From Boeing, Stephanie Pope, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, noted that the 787-10 combines efficiency, range, and comfort, calling it a natural fit for Delta’s international expansion and modernization plans, as well as its contribution to the industry’s sustainability commitments.
A Deepening Historic Relationship
Delta currently operates more than 460 Boeing aircraft and has flown nearly every narrow-body and wide-body family from the manufacturer over the decades. This new long-haul order reinforces a historic relationship and, according to Boeing, supports jobs in the American aerospace industry throughout its entire production and supply chain.
With this move, Delta’s total firm order backlog with Boeing rises to 130 aircraft, including the already-known order for 100 Boeing 737-10s. The combination of 787-10s for long-haul and 737-10s for short- and medium-haul points to a more homogeneous, flexible fleet, ready to carry more passengers across an increasingly diversified network.
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