Delta Air Lines Inc. will soon debut the first of 57 Airbus A319s that will receive a nose-to-tail interior modification.
The Atlanta-based airline (NYSE: DAL) reported the 132-seat aircraft is the latest in a series of upgrades coming to Delta’s domestic narrowbody fleet.
Click the photo to view a slideshow of the modifications.
“Panasonic in-flight entertainment at every seat, large pivoting overhead bins capable of accommodating 60 percent more carry-on bags, new galleys and an innovative, pod-like overhead passenger service unit highlight just a few of the new amenities designed by Zodiac Aerospace that Delta customers will enjoy,” Delta reported. “The 9 inch high definition seat-back entertainment screens offer more content than any other domestic carrier. Each seat also as 110v and USB power to plug in electronics in flight.”
Delta said it is the first airline in the world to receive the interior modifications on both Airbus fleets.
“All 126 A320 and A319 aircraft will be retrofitted with the new interior by summer 2017,” Delta reported. “The larger of the two jets, the A320, will also receive in-flight entertainment, though not initially, through 2018. Many of Delta’s Boeing 757 jets are receiving interior enhancements as part of the airline’s more than $770 million investment in the domestic fleet to provide a more consistent customer experience.”
But the upgrades aren't the only Airbus additions Delta is rolling out.
Nearly two years from now, Delta will take delivery of 25 Airbus A350-900s.
Delta reported Airbus brought a “plush” A350-900 to Delta’s Atlanta headquarters at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport earlier this month so employees and other guests could take an early look.
“The plane that came to Atlanta was a demonstration aircraft; the 25 Delta receives will be reconfigured with Delta livery, seating layout, colors and more,” Delta reported.
In November, Delta said its order for the 25 Airbus A350-900 aircraft and 25 advanced Airbus A330-900neo aircraft fits within its existing capacity and capital expenditure plan and continues a focus on making cost-effective investments in its fleet.
The widebody A330-900neo, an enhancement of Airbus’ A330 family, will fly on medium-haul trans-Atlantic markets in addition to some connecting U.S. West Coast and Asia routes. The aircraft are expected to enter Delta's fleet in 2019 and will provide a 20 percent operating cost savings per seat over the Boeing 767-300ER aircraft it will replace.
The long-range Airbus A350-900 will continue Delta’s optimization of its Pacific network, operating primarily on long-range routes between the U.S. and Asia. The jets are expected to generate a 20 percent improvement in operating cost per seat compared to the Boeing 747-400 aircraft they will replace. Delta is expected to start taking delivery of the A350-900 in the second quarter of 2017.
