Delta Executes Options for 12 Additional Airbus A220-300s

Delta Air Lines is continuing to expand and upgrade its fleet of aircraft by executing options for a further 12 Airbus A220-300s. The Atlanta-based carrier is expanding and simplifying its fleet by investing in more fuel-efficient aircraft to replace an aging fleet of older Airbus A319, A320, and Boeing 737NG airplanes.

The latest twelve new planes, scheduled for delivery to Delta’s fleet, are expected to be received in 2026 and 2027, taking the airline’s total order for the aircraft to 60. Today, the airline operates 45 Airbus A220-100—the smallest variant, with a capacity for 109 passengers—and 14 A220-300 planes.

Delta was the first U.S. carrier to order this particular plane, taking delivery of its first A220 in October 2018. 

Photo: Courtesy of Delta Air Lines

“The expansion of Delta’s A220 family is an important step towards the airline’s ongoing efforts on fleet simplification while investing in more sustainable aircraft that provide a best-in-class customer experience,” said the airline in a statement.

The single-aisle, narrowbody jets have a total capacity of 130 passengers across three cabin classes. Once retrofitted with Delta’s interior, the planes will include 88 seats in the Main Cabin, 30 Comfort+ seats, and 12 seats in First Class. 

Photo: Airbus A220-300 cabin. Courtesy of Delta Air Lines

Delta plans to use the aircraft on multiple domestic routes, including to its coastal hubs at New York (JFK), LaGuardia (LGA), Boston (BOS), Los Angeles (LAX), and Seattle (SEA).

“These 12 additional A220 aircraft will help power our increasingly streamlined fleet while also providing our customers with the elevated in-flight experience they’ve come to expect from Delta,” said Kristen Bojko, Delta’s Vice President of Fleet.

Delta’s growing fleet of Airbus A220s will complement the airline’s existing fleet of Airbus A321neo. The new A220s are powered by Pratt and Whitney’s GTF engines and are claimed to be 25 percent more fuel efficient than the aircraft it will replace.

Photo: Courtesy of Trac Vu / Unsplash

“Delta Air Lines was the U.S. launch customer for the A220, and this fourth reorder in just four years by a leading carrier as Delta is a most gratifying endorsement,” said Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International at Airbus. “The aircraft is currently connecting Delta passengers on more than 100 routes at 25 percent less fuel and CO2 emissions.”