Delta Air Lines has placed an order for 60 Boeing 787‑10 Dreamliners, consisting of 30 firm orders and 30 options. The order marks Delta’s first direct purchase of the 787‑10, the largest variant in Boeing’s Dreamliner family, and the aircraft are scheduled to begin deliveries in 2031.
The 787‑10 offers a 25 % improvement in fuel efficiency per seat and the lowest operating‑cost per seat among wide‑body aircraft, making it an attractive replacement for older, less efficient jets. Delta’s fleet strategy is to modernize its long‑haul lineup, diversify its wide‑body mix, and leverage the 787‑10’s range and passenger‑comfort features to support its international expansion.
Delta announced strong quarterly results and positive expectations around the same time as the order, underscoring the airline’s financial strength and its ability to fund large capital‑expenditure projects. The purchase fits within Delta’s previously announced capital‑expenditure and capacity targets, reinforcing its commitment to long‑term growth.
"Delta is building the fleet for the future, enhancing the customer experience, driving operational improvements and providing steady replacements for less efficient, older aircraft in the decade to come," said CEO Ed Bastian. CFO Dan Janki added, "Today's 787 order adds diversity to our wide‑body order book, while creating cost‑efficient scale across all wide‑body fleets. Our fleet strategy is positioning Delta for the future by enhancing the customer experience and driving operational improvements." Boeing’s President and CEO Stephanie Pope noted, "We are excited that Delta Air Lines has selected the 787‑10 to join its fleet of the future. The 787 Dreamliner’s unmatched efficiency, range, and passenger comfort make it a perfect fit for Delta's international expansion and fleet modernization."
The order strengthens Boeing’s wide‑body backlog and bolsters its competitive position against Airbus’s A350‑1000. For Delta, the 787‑10 order signals a strategic shift back to Boeing after a period of focusing on Airbus, and it replaces older aircraft while providing a cost‑efficient platform for future growth. The deal also reflects Delta’s broader strategy of investing in high‑efficiency aircraft to improve margins and support its long‑haul network.
Delta had previously canceled an order for the 787‑8 inherited from the Northwest Airlines merger. The new 787‑10 order represents a renewed commitment to the Dreamliner family and will use GE Aerospace’s GEnx engines, further aligning Delta’s fleet with its operational and environmental goals.
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