A330-900neo Delta

Delta Air Lines has confirmed a $14bn order with Airbus for 25 A350-900 and 25 A330-900neo airliners.

After delivery, the new A350 and A330neo aircraft will replace Delta Air Lines’ existing Boeing 747-400 and 767-300ER jetliners starting in 2017 and 2019 respectively.

The A330neo will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, while the A350 XWB will be equipped with Trent XWB engines.

Airbus COO Customers John Leahy said: "Airbus is unique in offering an optimised long-range choice in aircraft that will allow Delta to continue to modernise its fleet and customise its use with the most efficient and comfortable aircraft available."

Delta Air Lines selected Airbus after the company confirmed it will deliver the A330neo sooner than Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.

Boeing spokesman said: "This was a long and highly competitive campaign.

"Boeing competed for the order with the 787-9, but we did not have enough 787 positions available in the time frame that met Delta’s requirement."

"Boeing competed for the order with the 787-9, but we did not have enough 787 positions available in the time frame that met Delta’s requirement."

The latest order for Airbus comes after Delta Air Lines agreed to buy 40 aircraft last year.

Delta Air Lines currently operates Airbus single-aisle and wide-body aircraft, including A319ceo, A320ceo, A330-200s and A330-300s.

The carrier has a backlog of 105 aircraft, including the latest order, ten A330-300s and 45 A321ceos.

The revamped version of Airbus’s A330, the A330neo is offered in two versions, the A330-800neo and the A330-900neo, and is said to offer 14% in fuel efficiency.

The A350-900 is scheduled for launch with Qatar Airways in the coming weeks.

Image: A330-900neo aircraft will be part of Delta Air Lines’ fleet. Photo: courtesy of Fixion / Airbus SAS.

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