Delta Sticks with Airbus A350 Amid Boeing Reconsideration Rumors

Delta Air Lines has maintained its preference for Airbus widebodies since canceling its inherited Boeing 787 order in 2016. The airline has cited fleet commonality and past concerns over Boeing's engineering as key reasons for this stance.

Inheriting 18 Boeing 787-8 orders from Northwest Airlines, Delta canceled them in 2016. Since then, it has exclusively ordered Airbus A330neo and A350 models, enabling pilot cross-training and shared maintenance systems that reduce operational costs and simplify crew scheduling across its long-haul fleet.

Rumors suggest a possible future 787-10 order for Delta, but the airline may reconsider Boeing if newer 787-10 specs better match evolving route demands or cost structures. United Airlines is also now ordering A350s, which could influence Delta's decision-making process.