Delta’s Historic Shift: Orders Up to 60 Boeing 787 Dreamliners
Delta Air Lines announced on Tuesday its first-ever direct order for Boeing 787 Dreamliners, marking a significant shift in the carrier’s widebody fleet strategy. The order includes a firm commitment for 30 Boeing 787-10 aircraft, with options for an additional 30 units, bringing the potential total to 60 Dreamliners.
This historic purchase represents Delta’s pivot away from its Airbus-focused long-haul strategy and signals renewed confidence in Boeing’s manufacturing quality. The 787-10, the largest variant of the Dreamliner family, will be deployed on high-demand transatlantic and South American routes starting in 2031.
“Delta is building the fleet for the future, enhancing the customer experience, driving operational improvements and providing steady replacements for less efficient, older aircraft in the decade to come,” said Ed Bastian, Delta’s CEO.
The aircraft will feature 25% better fuel efficiency per seat compared to previous generation widebody aircraft and will include expanded premium cabins with Delta One Suites.
The order brings Delta’s total Boeing order book to 130 aircraft, including a previous commitment for 100 Boeing 737-10 jets. Delta had famously canceled a 787 order inherited from Northwest Airlines in 2016, making this return to Boeing widebody aircraft particularly noteworthy.
Source: Boeing Media Room