In early 2022, Delta Air Traces took supply of its first Airbus A321neo. The airline has 155 of those planes on order, which shall be delivered via 2027. The airline has been taking supply of those jets shortly, and Delta’s A321neo fleet is now approaching 50 plane.
This can be a welcome boost to Delta’s fleet — the A321neo has unbelievable vary and economics, and Delta presents a great passenger expertise onboard, together with a brand new firstclass seat.
The thrilling factor is that Delta is predicted to introduce an much more premium configuration of the A321neo later this yr. Rumors of this primary emerged almost two years in the past, however as entry into service approaches, we’re studying extra particulars.
Delta plans 148-seat Airbus A321neo with flat beds
In March 2022, Airline Weekly broke the story a few fleet information that Delta shared with pilots, outlining the provider’s distinctive A321neo plans. Particularly, it’s anticipated that 21 A321neos will get a particular configuration, that includes simply 148 seats (in comparison with the usual 194 seats). This consists of:
- 16 Delta One seats (enterprise class), which shall be totally flat and in a 1-1 configuration, with every seat having a privateness door
- 12 Delta Premium Choose seats (premium economic system), which shall be in a 2-2 configuration, considerably much like what you’d normally discover in home firstclass
- 54 Consolation+ seats (further legroom economic system), which shall be in a 3-3 configuration
- 66 Predominant Cabin seats (economic system), which shall be in a 3-3 configuration
Primarily based on the seat map, it seems to me like Delta may have reverse herringbone seats in enterprise class on these planes, which we must always quickly see on slim physique planes on a extra widespread foundation, as airways begin to take supply of the A321XLR.
Up till not too long ago, we had no clue in regards to the timeline for these jets probably being launched. The at all times knowledgable @xJonNYC shares that Delta’s plan is to introduce this product in Q3 2024 (someplace between July and September 2024), so we’re probably simply months away from seeing these planes in service. That’s thrilling!
What’s going to Delta do with premium Airbus A321neos?
Delta plans to particularly use these Airbus A321neos for premium transcontinental routes, like New York to Los Angeles.
Traditionally Delta has sometimes used a mix of Boeing 767s and Boeing 757s for these premium routes, although we knew that ultimately there must be a substitute, particularly if Delta needs to compete with a number one product:
- The 757s don’t have a really aggressive product, as enterprise class is in a 2-2 configuration, and the planes aren’t nice in economic system
- The 767s are getting outdated, and in the event you’re specializing in a premium market, there’s one thing to be stated for a decrease capability plane (in order that extra frequencies may be operated with extra premium seats)
Whereas again within the day most airways operated broad physique plane on premium transcontinental routes, that’s not the case. JetBlue has its fleet of Mint-configured A321s, American flies specifically configured A321s (which is able to quickly get replaced by A321XLRs), and United plans to ultimately fly 737 MAX 10s with flat beds (if that airplane ever will get licensed).
I believe the configuration Delta is planning is roughly what we might have anticipated. It’s fascinating how premium economic system is more and more being supplied by US airways on premium home routes. It’s mainly like home firstclass, and for a daytime flight it’s very comfy, for my part.
One factor I’m inquisitive about is what Delta plans to do with the 757s and 767s which can be taken off these routes. Look, these classic plane needs to be retired, so far as I’m involved, however we’re speaking about Delta right here. The airline would add the Wright Flyer to its fleet if it had the capability…
Backside line
Delta Air Traces is predicted to configure 21 Airbus A321neos in a premium configuration. These planes will function 148 seats, together with enterprise class, premium economic system, and plenty of further legroom economic system seats. At the moment the plan is for these planes to be launched as of Q3 2024, so we could possibly be simply months from these plane coming into service.
Delta finally wants a plan for refreshing its premium home fleet, and this looks like a wise approach to take action.
What do you make of Delta’s premium A321neo configuration plans?
