Delta has taken delivery of its first A321 neo, with the aircraft set to enter service in May this year.
The airline had originally expected to receive its first A321 neo in 2020, but will now take delivery of 26 of the aircra ft this year, with a total commitment for 155 planes through until 2027.
The single-aisle Airbus aircraft features 20 first class seats, details of which were first announced in early 2020 before the onset of Covid-19.
The seat was designed by Recaro and west London-based Factorydesign, and features a fixed headrest which the carrier says will enable “increased privacy and better sleep without compromising seat width or space”.
There is a larger and “sturdier” tray table, memory-foam cushions, customer-facing power ports and three times the volume for storing personal items (compared to the carrier’s A321 ceo), including dedicated laptop and water bottle stowage.
The airline’s A321 neos also offer 42 Delta Comfort + seats and 132 Main Cabin seats, with Delta’s wireless inflight entertainment system at every seat.
Commenting on the news Mahendra Nair, Delta’s SVP of fleet and tech ops supply chain, said:
“The delivery of our first A321 neo helps to usher in the next era of premium domestic service at Delta. Not only do these aircraft offer the best customer experience in the industry, but these fuel-efficient airplanes further demonstrate our commitment to a more sustainable future.”
Delta’s A321 neos are powered by Pratt and Whitney GTF engines, and the carrier says that the aircraft will offer 20 per cent better fuel efficiency over its current A321 ceos (current engine option).
