Delta Air Lines returns to Airbus with order for 40 aircraft

Deal includes A330s and the first-ever A321s for the airline

Delta Air Lines has placed a firm order with Airbus for 30 A321ceo and 10 A330-300 aircraft, with the wings made at the Broughton site .

This order marks a strong return to Airbus since Delta’s last order some two decades ago.

The airline has selected CFM56-5B engines from CFM International to power its A321s and CF6-80E1 engines from GE Aviation for its new A330s. 

Deliveries of Delta’s new A330s are slated to begin in 2015, and its first A321 is scheduled for 2016 delivery.

As a result of the merger of Delta and Northwest Airlines, Delta currently operates a large Airbus fleet, including 126 A320 Family aircraft, plus 32A330s.

“Delta is excited to select Airbus to partner with us as we continue our fleet renewal,” said Ed Bastian, Delta’s President. “These A330 and A321 aircraft offer a combination of economic efficiency and excellent customer satisfaction, which we experience with the 158 Airbus aircraft currently in our fleet.”

All of Delta’s A321s will feature Sharklets – lightweight composite wingtip devices that offer up to 4 percent fuel-burn savings, providing the flexibility of either adding 100 nautical miles range or increased payload capability of nearly 1000 pounds (up to 450 kilograms).