Delta Air Lines has taken a major step in strengthening its long-haul international operations after announcing a new widebody aircraft order with Boeing. The U.S.-based carrier placed its first-ever direct order for the Boeing B787 Dreamliner family, committing to 30 Boeing B787-10 aircraft with options for up to 30 additional jets. The move supports Delta’s long-term strategy to grow its global footprint while renewing its widebody fleet with more fuel-efficient and passenger-friendly aircraft.
The newly ordered Boeing B787-10 Dreamliners are expected to play a key role in Delta’s expansion on high-demand international routes, particularly across the transatlantic market and to South America. As the largest variant of the B787 family, the B787-10 offers a combination of high seating capacity, long-range capability, and improved operating economics, making it well-suited for densely traveled international corridors.
Designed to carry up to 336 passengers, the Boeing B787-10 delivers significant efficiency improvements compared to older widebody aircraft. Boeing states that the aircraft uses approximately 25 percent less fuel than the airplanes it replaces, resulting in lower operating costs per seat and reduced carbon emissions. These gains align closely with Delta’s goals of improving operational performance while supporting sustainability initiatives across its fleet.
Beyond efficiency, the B787 Dreamliner family is widely recognized for its passenger comfort features. The aircraft is equipped with the largest windows of any widebody jet in commercial service, improved cabin humidity, and lower cabin altitude pressurization. These features are intended to help reduce passenger fatigue on long-haul flights, enhancing the overall travel experience for international customers.
The order also represents another milestone in the long-standing partnership between Delta Air Lines and Boeing. Delta currently operates more than 460 Boeing aircraft across its network and has flown nearly every major Boeing single-aisle and widebody model over several decades. With this latest purchase, Delta’s total firm order book with Boeing now stands at 130 aircraft, including a previously announced order for 100 Boeing B737-10 narrowbody jets.
By combining the capabilities of the B787-10 for long-haul routes and the B737-10 for short- and medium-haul operations, Delta aims to create a more flexible and efficient fleet that can adapt to shifting market demand. The modernized fleet will also allow the airline to retire older, less fuel-efficient widebody aircraft over the coming decade, improving reliability and cost control.
From an industry perspective, the deal provides a boost to Boeing’s widebody program and supports thousands of U.S. aerospace manufacturing jobs across Boeing’s production system and global supply chain. Boeing remains one of the largest exporters in the United States, supplying commercial aircraft to airlines in more than 150 countries worldwide.