Delta is taking a sharply different tack to United when it comes to adding seats to its fleet as air traffic recovers. While United signed up for 270 new planes, all latest models, Delta has taken advantage of bargains available in the used jet market.
The Atlanta-based airline is buying 29 used 737-900ERs from Malaysia’s Lion Air, which grounded them during the pandemic and is picking up the leases on seven A350-900s that were formerly flown by its joint-venture partner in Latin America, LATAM Airlines, which has had severe financial difficulties.
Last year saw many sharp changes in airfleets as airlines took the moment when most flying was grounded to trim older planes and types from their fleets and make decisions about the future. As a result, there are large numbers of relatively new planes that no longer fit in their previous operators’ fleets, and the aircraft leasing companies are looking to re-place them, potentially at bargain prices.
For Delta, that means opportunities to refresh its fleet quickly, while United has chosen to move incrementally as its new planes are manufactured. Both airlines have retired a number of types; Delta says the A350s will fly in place of retired 777-200s. Ironically, the 737s are joining the fleet two years after Delta took the last Boeing on its order sheet, with plans to become all-Airbus.
