Delta Orders 15 Airbus A321s
Airline to Receive Aircraft Made in U.S.
Delta Air Lines and Airbus announced an order for 15 A321 aircraft on Monday. The order is valued at about $1.65 billion, based on Airbus’ list price for the plane.
Delta currently has 126 A320 family aircraft in its fleet, as well as 32 A330s. The new order brings the airline’s total orders for A321s to 45. It also has ten Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft on order.
The planes, formally known as the A321ceo for current engine option, will replace older, less efficient aircraft. The planes, which are scheduled for delivery starting in 2018, will come with CFM International CFM56-5B engines. Its first A321 will arrive in 2016, the airline said.
The new planes will be configured with 20 first-class seats, 23 premium-economy seats, and 149 seats in coach. Each seat will have in-flight Internet, in-flight entertainment with live satellite television and on-demand content, and a power outlet.
The planes will also come with sharklet wing tip devices and will be 4% more fuel efficient than current jets. They also have an extended range of up to 100 nautical miles (185 kilometers).
Airbus said that many of the A321s will be built on its new assembly line in Mobile, Alabama. The facility is expected to produce four aircraft per month starting in 2017.
(Photo: Accura Media Group)