Boeing and Delta Air Lines today announced that the U.S. carrier has placed its first direct order for up to 60 787 Dreamliners to support long-haul international growth and renew the airline’s widebody fleet. Delta’s purchase of 30 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner jets – with opportunity for up to 30 more of the largest 787 variant – will enable the airline’s expansion and modernization plans on high-demand transatlantic and South American routes.
“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. Most importantly, these aircraft will be operated by the best aviation professionals in the industry, providing Delta’s welcoming, elevated and caring service to travelers worldwide.”
Ed Bastian, Delta’s CEO
With capacity for up to 336 passengers and 25% lower fuel use than the airplanes it replaces, the 787-10 offers the lowest operating cost per seat of any widebody airplane. The 787 Dreamliner features the largest windows of any widebody airplane flying today and air that is pressurized at a lower cabin altitude, which will help Delta’s customers arrive at their destinations feeling more refreshed.
“We are excited that Delta Air Lines has selected the 787-10 to join its fleet of the future. The 787 Dreamliner’s unmatched efficiency, range, and passenger comfort make it a perfect fit for Delta’s international expansion and fleet modernization. Our team looks forward to delivering new Dreamliners to Delta and supporting their commitments to provide an exceptional passenger experience and advance sustainability in aviation.”
Stephanie Pope, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes
The Delta Air Lines has selected GE Aerospace’s GEnx engines to power 30 new Boeing 787-10s with options for 30 more aircraft. The agreement also includes spare engines and long-term services support.
Engineered with advanced materials and cutting-edge technologies, the GEnx engine family represents a major leap in modern propulsion with higher time-on-wing and reliability. Since its introduction in 2011, the GEnx family has accumulated more than 70 million flight hours and today powers two-thirds of all Boeing 787 aircraft in operation.
With more than 460 Boeing airplanes currently in service, Delta has flown most Boeing single-aisle and widebody models across its domestic and international networks over the decades. This new widebody order further strengthens that partnership and supports US aerospace manufacturing jobs across Boeing’s production system and supply chain.
“For more than 60 years, GE Aerospace has been proud to partner with Delta Air Lines, and we’re honored the GEnx now will be underwing to support their international growth plans. The GEnx engine will provide reliability, efficiency, and durability for years to come.”
H. Lawrence Culp, Jr. , GE Aerospace Chairman and CEO
GE Aerospace’s relationship with Delta Air Lines began in 1956 powering the Convair 880 with CJ-805-3 engines. Today, Delta Air Lines operates an extensive fleet of more than 1,300 GE Aerospace and CFM powered aircraft that includes CF6, CFM56-7B and LEAP engines.
Today’s purchase brings Delta’s firm order book to 130 Boeing airplanes, including the airline’s order for 100 737-10 jets. The efficiency and flexibility of the 787-10 and 737-10 are expected to enable Delta to fly more passengers on more routes as the airline expands and diversifies its network.