Summary
- Delta Air Lines transitions to A321neo, a fuel-efficient aircraft, replacing aging 757-200 jets.
- A321neos deployed on long domestic routes like SEA-FLL and SFO-BOS, competing with other airlines.
- Delta’s A321neos offer premium features, longest route is 2,717 miles between SEA and FLL.
Delta Air Lines is becoming a major operator of the Airbus A321neo. The popular and latest iteration of the best-selling narrowbody aircraft notably has increased range and boasts fuel efficiency – making it a near-perfect replacement for its aging Boeing 757-200 jets. The Atlanta-based airline first began operating the A321neo in 2022. Since then, Airbus has gradually chipped away at fulfilling Delta’s order for more than 150 examples of the aircraft type.
As a new aircraft with new features, the carrier has not shied away from deploying it on some of its longest domestic routes. In some cases, the plane has become the exclusive operator, meaning Delta does not schedule any other aircraft on the route. Along with its debut, the airline unveiled new domestic first class seats as part of its focus on becoming the most premium carrier in the US. The seats have become so successful, that Delta has since installed them on other narrowbody aircraft in its fleet.
Photo: Delta Air Lines
Many of its A321neos operate out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), but they are also frequently seen at other airports on the West Coast:
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
- San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Among the longest routes from those airports journey to East Coast destinations in Florida and New England, and in the opposite direction – over the Pacific – to Hawaii.
Over 2,700 miles
According to aviation data and analytics provider Cirium, Delta’s longest A321neo routes exceed 2,500 miles. The longest route this month is between SEA and Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL). At a total of 2,717 miles, the route eastbound is around five hours and 35 minutes in length, while the journey westbound is about 30 minutes longer with a duration of six hours. Delta operates the route daily and only uses the A321neo. The service competes directly with Alaska Airlines, which also offers daily frequencies utilizing its Boeing 737s.
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The second-longest A321neo route is between SFO and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). It is about 2,704 miles each way and is served as many as three times a day. Delta is special to this route as it was the inaugural route for the aircraft.
Photo: Delta Air Lines
Similar to SEA-FLL, the eastbound duration is about five and a half hours, while the westbound duration is closer to six. Delta has deployed the 757-200 on this route for many years but more recently swapped them out with the newer A321neos. The airline competes with Alaska, United Airlines, and JetBlue Airways on the route. Shifting the focus to transpacific operations, the journey between SEA and Lihue Airport (LIH) is right at 2,701 miles each way, making it the third-longest route for the A321neo. The route is offered once daily this month, competing with Alaska’s daily service.
Over 2,600 miles
The following five routes involve Hawaiian destinations and exceed 2,600 miles.
Delta Air Lines Airbus A321neo Routes Over 2,600 Miles (July 2024) |
||
---|---|---|
Route |
Miles In Each Direction |
Frequency |
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) – Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole (KOA) |
2,688 |
Once daily |
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) –Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) |
2,677 |
Twice daily |
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) – Kahului Airport (OGG) |
2,640 |
Once daily |
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – Lihue Airport (LIH) |
2,615 |
Once daily |
Above the 2,500-mile mark
The cross-country route between SAN and BOS tops the longest routes above the 2,500-mile range. This route, which was also formerly operated by 757-200s, covers a total of 2,588 miles and is offered once daily. Thanks to Delta’s hub at BOS, the airline contends with Alaska, which has a large presence at SAN. Similar to SFO-BOS, Delta also competes with JetBlue on the route. Unlike Delta and Alaska, JetBlue offers twice-daily service between the two destinations and also has the most premium experience. The carrier’s popular and well-known Mint service is the only business class cabin with lie-flat beds on the route.
Delta’s A321neos also serve the LAX-HNL route, which is 2,556 miles in each direction. The aircraft has twice-daily frequencies on the route, but is not the exclusive operator between the two destinations. Delta also deploys its 767-300ERs on the route, which have more capacity and lie-flat beds, depending on the specific aircraft. Occasionally, the airline will also utilize the larger 767-400ER variant of 757-300 aircraft types during peak periods.
Orlando is also on the list as one of the longest A321neo routes. The journey between SEA and Orlando International Airport (MCO) is 2,553 miles each way, and Delta has scheduled the aircraft twice daily on the route this month. The aircraft also operates between LAX and MCO twice daily, albeit the route is under 2,500 miles. Finally, the A321neo also operates between LAX and KOA. It will be deployed once daily this month on the 2,504-mile route.
Delta used its A321neos as the first aircraft to feature its new domestic first class seats and an updated inflight entertainment system with Bluetooth connectivity. The spacious and comfortable seats are winged at the top, adding more privacy for passengers.
Photo: Channing Reid | Simple Flying
The aircraft accommodates a total of 194 passengers across a three-class format: 20 first class seats, 42 Comfort+ seats, and 132 seats in the main cabin. All cabins have in-seat power and in-seat video. So far, Delta has 61 A321neos in its fleet, according to ch-aviation. The carrier awaits the delivery of 94 aircraft, which will complete its order of 155 examples.
American Airlines is the largest US operator of the A321neo, with 80 planes in operation. Delta is the second-largest, followed by JetBlue, Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and United.
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