Orders boost for Airbus as Delta Air Lines takes on new widebody craft
An order for 20 A350-1000 aircraft has been placed by key US carrier, Delta Air Lines.
The A350-1000 widebody aircraft will be a new aircraft type in Delta’s fleet.
Delta’s order will add to the growing workload at the Airbus manufacturing site in Broughton, near Chester, which makes wings for all its commercial aircraft, employing 5,000 staff, alongside around 3,000 staff at its Bristol plant in Filton.
Christian Scherer, chief executive of the commercial aircraft business, Airbus, said: “We are thankful for Delta’s continued confidence in Airbus’s solutions to meet its fleet needs.
“Delta was the first US airline to operate the A350-900, and is doing so with great success.
“Delta now welcomes the A350-1000, which will open even more opportunities for the airline and its customers.”
He added: “We are proud that our aircraft serve the entirety of Delta’s impressive global network as this stellar airline takes fleet efficiency to the next level.”
Ed Bastian, Delta’s chief executive, said: “The A350-1000 will be the largest, most capable aircraft in Delta’s fleet and is an important step forward for our international expansion.
“The aircraft complements our fleet and offers an elevated customer experience, with more premium seats and best-in-class amenities, as well as expanded cargo capabilities.”
Delta Air Lines currently operates more than 450 Airbus aircraft from all of the Airbus product families from the A220 to the A350-900, with more than 200 additional on order.
Once added to the fleet, Delta will benefit from the A350-1000’s operational efficiency, which results in reduced fuel burn and emissions and lower operating and maintenance costs, while passengers will enjoy the comfort of the Airbus Airspace cabin with its spacious and quiet cabin, wide seats, high ceilings and customisable ambient lighting designed to reduce fatigue and jet-lag on long flights.
Airbus says the A350 is the world’s most modern and efficient widebody aircraft and the long range leader in the 300-410 seater category, flying efficiently on any sector from short-haul to ultra-long-haul routes up to 9,700nm.
Its clean sheet design includes state-of-the-art technologies, aerodynamics, lightweight materials and latest generation engines that together deliver 25% advantage in fuel burn, operating costs and CO₂ emissions, as well as 50% noise footprint reduction compared with previous generation competitor aircraft.
The A350 has more than 1,206 orders from 58 customers from around the world.
