Delta Air Lines returns to better feelings about Airbus and places an order for 40 aircraft (30 units in the A321ceo family and 10 aircraft A330-300). The airline chose CFM56-5B engines from CFM International to propel A321 aircraft and CF6-80E1 engines from GE Aviation for the new A330.
Deliveries for A330 aircraft are scheduled to start in 2015, and the first A321ceo could reach Delta Air Lines fleet only in 2016. As a result of the merger between Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines, Delta operates a large fleet of Airbus aircraft, including the 126 of the A320 family and the 32 A330.
All airplanes in the A321 family will come equipped with Sharklets. The "Sharklet" effect is translated by reducing fuel consumption by up to 4% and CO2 emissions by up to 700 tonnes per aircraft / year, or increasing autonomy by up to 160 km, or increasing the mass supported by up to 450 Kg.
Many of the new Delta A321 are expected to be assembled at Alabama's new Airbus base, currently under construction and scheduled to deliver the first 2016 aircraft. Airbus will invest about 600 million dollars in the region and create 1.000 new jobs.
The A321 Delta aircraft will be configured in two classes and will have 190 seating capacity. While A330 aircraft will be able to carry up to 293 passengers, in a two-class configuration.