Delta Air Lines is set to conclude operations of its highest-capacity aircraft, the 339-seat Airbus A350, on October 25, 2023. This aircraft features a configuration that includes 30 business class seats arranged in a 2-2-2 layout, 63 extra legroom seats in a 3-3-3 configuration, and 246 seats in the main cabin, also arranged 3-3-3. Following this date, only two variants of the A350-900 will remain in service: a 275-seater and a 306-seater.
The final flight for the A350 configured with 339 seats will take place from Amsterdam to Atlanta, a key hub where Delta operates approximately 79% of its flights. This aircraft, registered as N569DZ and nearly 10 years old, will subsequently be sent to Singapore’s Paya Lebar Airport for reconfiguration into Delta’s lowest-capacity, highest-premium 275-seat layout. This new configuration is expected to serve many of Delta’s longest routes.
Background on the A350 Acquisition
Delta initially acquired nine A350 aircraft with this 339-seat configuration from LATAM Airlines, following the Brazilian carrier’s bankruptcy filing in May 2020, which was significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. LATAM decided to divest its A350-900 fleet due to their high operating costs and a sudden decrease in demand for international travel. Delta’s strategic acquisition of these relatively young aircraft, which had lower cycle counts, allowed the airline to enhance its fleet during a challenging period.
The first of these 339-seaters entered service in June 2022, but the configuration faced criticism. The business class seats did not offer direct aisle access, making them less competitive compared to newer designs. As Delta prepares for the arrival of the A350-1000, the decision to reconfigure the fleet reflects a shift towards a more premium offering that aligns with evolving passenger expectations.
Final Flights and Route Transition
On October 24, 2023, N569DZ will operate flight DL72 from Atlanta to Amsterdam, arriving the following morning. The following day, it will perform DL73, departing Amsterdam at 10:10 and landing in Atlanta at 13:34 local time. After this final service, Delta will transition to using the 282-seat A330-300 for this route as it shifts to its winter schedule. Data from Cirium indicates that the A350 is not scheduled to operate this route again until at least August 2026, leaving its future in doubt.
In terms of operational history, the 339-seat A350 made a notable impact on Delta’s route network. Between June 2022 and October 2023, approximately 94% of its flights originated from Atlanta. Notably, more than 80% of these services were international, with the Atlanta to Lima route accounting for the highest volume of flights, comprising 15% of total operations for this aircraft model.
As Delta Air Lines evolves its fleet strategy, the retirement of the 339-seat Airbus A350 marks a significant transition in its service offerings, positioning the airline to better meet the demands of modern air travel.
