Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) signaled a major shift in its widebody strategy Tuesday, placing its first direct order for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner to anchor its international expansion through the next decade.
The Atlanta-based carrier announced a deal for 30 firm 787-10 jets—the largest variant of the Dreamliner family—with options for an additional 30 aircraft.
The multi-billion dollar agreement marks a return to Boeing for Delta’s long-haul needs, a segment recently dominated by Airbus A350 and A330neo models.
CEO Ed Bastian noted that the 787-10 was selected for its superior operating economics on transatlantic and South American routes, where its 336-seat capacity and 25% better fuel efficiency per seat will allow it to replace aging Boeing 767s.
"Delta is building the fleet for the future, providing steady replacements for less efficient, older aircraft," Bastian said in a statement.
The move also serves to diversify Delta's supplier base; Bastian noted it is "tough to operate being reliant on only a single-source provider."
The new jets will be powered by GE Aerospace’s GEnx engines, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2031.
The order bolsters Boeing’s widebody backlog at a critical time and brings Delta’s total firm order book with the manufacturer to 130 aircraft, including 100 737-10 MAX jets.