Delta Taps Boeing’s 787-10 for Long-Haul Growth With Order for Up to 60 Jets
The agreement introduces the 787-10 to Delta’s fleet as part of a broader push to modernize long-haul operations.
Delta Air Lines orders up to 60 Boeing 787 Dreamliners to grow and modernize widebody fleet.
Delta Air Lines is making a clear bet on Boeing’s Dreamliner family, placing its first direct order for the 787 with a commitment to 30 aircraft and options for 30 more. The deal, announced today, brings the 787-10 into Delta’s fleet for the first time and sets the stage for a widebody refresh that will shape how the airline flies its longest routes over the next decade.
The aircraft will be used to support growth in high-demand international markets, with Delta pointing specifically to transatlantic and South American service. The order also gives the airline a path to retire older widebodies that are more costly to operate, a practical move as fuel efficiency and fleet flexibility take on greater weight in long-haul planning.
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“Delta is building the fleet for the future, enhancing the customer experience, driving operational improvements and providing steady replacements for less efficient, older aircraft in the decade to come,” said Ed Bastian, Delta’s chief executive officer. “Most importantly, these aircraft will be operated by the best aviation professionals in the industry, providing Delta’s welcoming, elevated and caring service to travelers worldwide.”
The 787-10 is the largest variant in Boeing’s Dreamliner lineup, typically configured for more than 300 passengers. Boeing says it delivers roughly 25% lower fuel use than the aircraft it replaces and offers the lowest operating cost per seat of any widebody in its category, numbers that matter on long-haul routes where margins are shaped by both seat economics and demand.
Delta has leaned heavily on Airbus for long-haul flying in recent years, particularly with the A330 and A350 families. Bringing the 787-10 into the fleet doesn’t replace that strategy, but it adds a new layer of flexibility—one that aligns with Delta’s broader investment in Boeing aircraft, including its existing order for 100 737-10 narrowbodies.
“We are excited that Delta Air Lines has selected the 787-10 to join its fleet of the future,” said Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The 787 Dreamliner’s unmatched efficiency, range, and passenger comfort make it a perfect fit for Delta’s international expansion and fleet modernization.”
Beyond fleet planning, the order reinforces a long-standing relationship between the two companies. Delta currently operates more than 460 Boeing aircraft across its network, spanning both single-aisle and widebody types. With this latest deal, Delta’s firm order book now totals 130 Boeing airplanes, a mix that reflects the manufacturer’s continued centrality to the carrier’s future capacity plans.
Delivery timing was not disclosed.
