Delta Air Lines recently placed an order for up to 60 Boeing 787-10s, which will be delivered as of 2031. This is a major development for the airline, given the carrier’s wide body fleet renewal has otherwise been centered around Airbus jets, making this a big win for Boeing.
However, rumors now suggest that we could now see another aircraft order from Delta, and one certainly wonders what that could entail. Let me share what’s rumored, and my speculation…
Is Delta in the market for more wide body planes?
On social media, JonNYC has dropped a hint that he gets the sense that Delta may be looking at another aircraft order, even after the recent Dreamliner order. Obviously that’s super vague, but JonNYC has a great track record, and I would assume that there’s something to this.
That’s not to say that any decision will be finalized, but instead, that it’s something that executives at Delta are seriously considering. While JonNYC doesn’t clarify one way or another what types of planes we’re talking about, perhaps the most interesting “gap” in Delta’s current fleet renewal is that the airline isn’t expected to take delivery of any wide body planes between 2028 and 2031(ish).
That’s because Delta plans to take delivery of Airbus A350-1000s in 2027 and 2028 (at this point deliveries may realistically stretch into 2029, given delays), while the Boeing 787-10s will only be delivered as of 2031.
Delta: Why do I get the distinct feeling that the company credit card is still out even after it’s recent workout at the Boeing store.
— JonNYC (@xjonnyc.bsky.social) January 15, 2026 at 11:04 PM
How I could see Delta’s wide body growth playing out
If we are to assume that Delta is in the market for more wide body aircraft, and if the goal is to sort of “plug the gap” in deliveries, then one aircraft seems most likely to me — the Airbus A330-900neo. That simply comes down to looking at Delta’s existing fleet, and considering available delivery slots, since there’s a years-long wait for new A350s and 787s.
For context on the current state of Delta’s “next generation” wide body fleet renewal:
- Delta has 39 Airbus A330-900neos, with no more on order
- Delta has 40 Airbus A350-900s, with four more jets on order
- Delta has 20 Airbus A350-1000s on order, to be delivered in 2027 and 2028, plus options for 20 more
- Delta has 30 Boeing 787-10s on order, to be delivered as of 2031
Then in terms of Delta’s older generation wide body aircraft:
- Delta has 11 Airbus A330-200s, which are an average of 21 years old
- Delta has 31 Airbus A330-300s, which are an average of 17 years old
- Delta has 38 Boeing 767-300ERs, which are an average of 29 years old
- Delta has 21 Boeing 767-400ERs, which are an average of 25 years old
When you look at the current state of things, it does seem like Delta needs some more “workhorse” wide body jets in the long run. Keep in mind the A350-1000s are largely supposed to be used for ultra long haul expansion, including to destinations in Asia, the Middle East, and India, which aren’t currently served. So if you view those planes as being for growth rather than fleet renewal, then you realize what a shortage Delta potentially has.
The airline has 91 older generation aircraft that eventually need to be retired, while the airline has a total of 54 wide body aircraft on order, and 34, if you subtract the A350-1000s. Now, admittedly the A330-300s in particular could easily fly for another decade (or even longer… we’re talking about Delta here), so I’m not suggesting these are being rushed out. Quite to the contrary, they’re even getting new cabins soon.
It’s anyone’s guess how this plays out. Delta is good at flying planes way past their “prime,” so perhaps Delta can wait until well into the mid-2030s for additional new planes. At the same time, realistically we will need to see more planes ordered.
I suspect we’ll see the airline exercise options for the A350-1000 and/or 787-10. If the airline has shorter term needs, then I think some incremental A330-900neos would be the obvious choice. So we’ll mark this as “developing,” and I could be totally off base.
Bottom line
Delta recently placed a firm order for 30 Boeing 787-10s, with 30 options. JonNYC suggests that Delta could be looking at another aircraft order in the near future, and it sure seems like the most likely scenario would be that Delta places another wide body order.
At least in the long run, Delta still needs more next generation wide body aircraft. I think it’s highly likely that Delta exercises the options for additional 787-10s, but the first batch are only coming in 2031, so that’s a very long term plan.
Beyond that, it seems exercising options for the A350-1000 would make sense. Otherwise, adding more A330-900neos seems like the only other logical choice.
What additional aircraft order do you think Delta could place, and how do you see this playing out?
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