Airbus delivers first A330neo to Delta Air Lines

After becoming the launch customer for the Airbus A330neo in 2014, Delta Air Lines has now taken delivery of their first example.

The aircraft, an Airbus A330-900, serial number 1915, registration N401DZ, is powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines and is the first of 35 the Atlanta, Georgia-based airline has on order.

Contractually delivered in Toulouse on the 23rd of May, Delta flew the aircraft home on the same day as DAL9941 to Atlanta using a jet fuel blended from conventional sources and non-petroleum synthetic fuel. In total, the aircraft accumulated 11h and 30min worth of test hours under registration F-WWKF.

Paired with their Airbus A350s, the A330neo will offer Delta a “premier long-haul, widebody aircraft with exceptionally low operating costs”. The order for A330neos will gradually replace their fleet of ageing Boeing 767-300ERs.

Delta has elected to configure their A330-900s in a four class layout, featuring 29 seats in business, 28 in premium economy 56 in extra-legroom economy and 168 in standard economy, totaling 281 seats across the aircraft.

Complimenting the seating arrangement is the Airspace cabin, loaded with LED mood lighting to reduce jet lag, spacious overhead bins, the latest entertainment systems, 2Ku internet connectivity with free mobile messaging via iMessage, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, and charging outlets at all seats.

From summer this year, Delta’s initial plans will see the aircraft on trans-Pacific flights from their Seattle hub.

Sharing large amounts of commonality with the A350, the A330neo will offer airlines a 25 per cent reduction in fuel burn compared to previous generation aircraft thanks to the new, longer wing, revised aerodynamics and ultra-efficient engines based off the highly successful Rolls-Royce Trent XWB.

Airbus states the A330-900 can accommodate 287 seats in a typical three-class layout or 440 in high density configurations, providing a range of 7,200 nautical miles.

Are you planning on trying out this aircraft anytime soon?