Delta Air Lines is the second-largest US airline by fleet size, with a total of 1,010 aircraft, trailing only United Airlines. Close behind is American Airlines, which operates 1,001 aircraft, according to ch-aviation fleet data.
Delta Air Lines’ fleet is primarily composed of narrowbody aircraft, along with 178 widebody planes. Among its widebody aircraft, the Airbus A330 family is the most numerous, with Delta operating a total of 80 A330s across three different variants.
A Closer Look At Delta’s Airbus A330 Series
Airbus A330 operations trace back to Northwest Airlines, prior to its merger with Delta Air Lines. Northwest initially acquired the A330 to expand services across the Atlantic and Pacific regions and to enhance its existing international operations, which previously relied on Boeing 747s and McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 aircraft. The A330-300 quickly became Northwest’s flagship for international routes. By October 2007, with the delivery of its 32nd A330, Northwest had become the world’s largest A330 operator.
Following the merger, the Airbus A330 continued to serve as the backbone of Delta’s widebody fleet. Today, Delta operates 38 Airbus A330-900s (A330neos), 31 Airbus A330-300s, and 11 smaller capacity Airbus A330-200s, with average fleet ages of three, 16.7, and 20.5 years, respectively. When Delta ordered 40 A330-300s in 2013, the airline described the purchase as a “prudent” step in its fleet renewal strategy, aimed at improving profitability while “diligently” managing capacity.
Delta Air Lines was also the launch customer for the Airbus A330neo in the United States, placing its first order for 25 A330neo aircraft in November 2014. The airline received its first A330neo in May 2019, marking the start of replacing its aging A330-300 and A330-200 fleet.
Comparing Delta’s A330s: Specs And Cabin Layout
Delta Air Lines’ Airbus A330neos now make up the majority of the carrier’s A330 fleet. The A330neo has a maximum range of 7,350 nautical miles (13,612 km) and can seat between 287 and 303 passengers in a three-class layout. Delta’s A330neos are configured in a four-class cabin, accommodating 281 passengers: 29 in business class, 28 in premium economy, 56 in economy comfort, and 168 in economy class.
Airbus A330-300s make up the second-largest segment of Delta Air Lines’ A330 fleet. These aircraft have a maximum range of 6,350 nautical miles (11,760 km) and can accommodate 250 to 290 passengers in a three-class layout. Delta’s A330-300s feature more business class seats than the A330neos and are configured in a four-class cabin for a total of 282 passengers: 34 in business class, 21 in premium economy, 24 in economy comfort, and 203 in economy class.
Meanwhile, the airline’s smaller capacity A330-200s can seat up to 223 passengers in a four-class cabin: 34 in business class, 21 in premium economy, 24 in economy comfort, and 144 in economy class. Generally, the A330-200 seats between 220 and 260 passengers in a typical seating configuration and has a maximum range of 7,250 nautical miles (13,427 km).
Delta’s Remaining Widebody Aircraft Fleet
In addition to the Airbus A330 family, Delta Air Lines operates Boeing 767s and Airbus A350 widebody aircraft.
The carrier has a total of 60 767s across two variants, including 39 767-300ERs and 21 767-400ERs. The average age of the 767-300ERs is 29 years, while the 767-400ERs average 26.4 years. Due to their age, Delta Air Lines plans to phase out these aircraft by 2030.
Delta also operates a fleet of 38 Airbus A350-900s, with an average age of 5.2 years. The airline is awaiting delivery of six additional A350-900s. Delta’s A350 fleet is configured to seat up to 306 passengers, including 36 in business class, 48 in premium economy, 36 in Economy Comfort, and 190 in economy class.