Originally Posted by
LoganFlyer
Might these 2 (frames) be the A350-900 (HighGrossWeight versions) that DL will need to use on it's "longest mile route" flight ATL-JNB when it returns in mid December 2020? The current 13 SHOULD be able to do the eastbound segment (as because of the earths rotation - distance is less, and also landing at a high altitude airport like JNB shouldn't be a game changer). The return (westbound segment) is another animal all together. That is why Delta has chosen to do a "circle route" (as the return will be via CPT). CPT is a low altitude airport AND is about 300 miles closer to ATL which (I believe, again, the current 13 CAN accomplish). Delta may also need these 2 birds on the ATL PVG legs (when they return - these legs do not show up on their calendar through 2021-July) which also gets quite close to the maximum range of the A350-900's. Thanks for the info: (on N514DN and N515DN) - I can add this to my Delta Airlines International Aircraft data sheet.