Jun 20, 17, 8:21 pm

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Last edit by: N515CR

Initial flights:
DTW>NRT effective Oct 30 2017 (from B744). Inaugural A350 flight, flown by N502DN.
DTW>ICN effective Nov 18 2017 (in conjunction with the B744). First flight flown by N501DN. Transitioned to the A350 Dec 18 2017.
DTW>PEK effective Jan 17 2018 (in conjunction with the A332). First flight flown by N503DN. Transitioned to the A350 Feb 13 2018.
DTW>AMS effective March 31 2018 (from A332/333) - DL132/133 only.
DTW>PVG effective April 19 2018 (from B744/B777).
ATL>ICN effective March 24 2018 (from B777).
LAX>PVG effective July 2 2018 (alternated with the B777 until July 18 2018).

Press Releases Regarding A350 Routes
http://news.delta.com/delta-s-new-a3...eon-march-2018
http://news.delta.com/delta-expands-...rope-and-china

Related threads:
2017 The Year of the A350
Are there enough toilets on the new A350?
UA 77W Polaris vs DL A350 DeltaOne in Business

All cabins feature wifi, USB power, and AVOD at every seat.

Delta One (business/first seats, rows 1-9)
* Features 32 of the new Delta One Suites with lie-flat seats, 22-24" width, and 76-81" length in a 1-2-1 configuration.
* A full-height door at every suite and sliding privacy dividers between center suites
* In-suite, customizable ambient lighting; dedicated stowage compartments for shoes, headphones and laptops; and memory foam-enhanced comfort cushion
* An 18-inch, high resolution in-flight entertainment monitor and 110-volt power
* Delta's webpage on the new suites: https://www.delta.com/content/www/en...ess-class.html

Delta Premium Select (premium economy seats, rows 20-25)
* Has 48 seats with 18.5" width, 38" pitch, up to 7" of recline, and adjustable leg rests in a 2-4-2 configuration
* Up to a 13.3-inch, high resolution in-flight entertainment screen and 110-volt power
* Delta's webpage on these new seats: https://www.delta.com/content/www/en...m-economy.html

Main Cabin (economy seats, rows 30-55)
* Has 226 seats with 18" width and 31-32" pitch in a 3-3-3 configuration.
* Preferred seats are window and aisle seats in rows 30-33, 41, and all seats in exit row 40
* Does not have 110-volt power

Config of the 3-class cabin was…D1/32 seats...PS/48 seats...MC/226 seats for a total 306 seats. This config was on the first 13 frames (3501-3513) delivered and then subsequently they were updated to the 4-class cabin as detailed below.

Config of the 4-class cabin is...D1/32 seats...PS/48 seats...C+/36 seats...MC/190 seats for a total of 306 seats.

Seat map (link to Delta webpage)
359 (4 class) cabin tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQ3D-xZGfAs
35L (ex-Latam) cabin tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgO-Os_rLCk

A350 Current Routes:
DTW>NRT Started Oct 30 2017 (from B744). First flight was flown by N502DN and it was the inaugural A350 flight.
DTW>ICN Started Nov 18 2017 (from B744). First flight was flown by N501DN.
DTW>PEK Started Jan 17 2018 (from A332). First flight was flown by N503DN.
DTW>AMS (Alternating DL132/133 and DL134/135) Started March 31 2018 (from A332/333). First flight was flown by N502DN.
DTW>PVG Started April 19 2018 (from B777). First flight was flown by N508DN.
ATL>ICN Started March 24 2018 (from B777). First flight was flown by N504DN.
LAX>PVG Started July 2 2018 (from B777). First flight was flown by N504DN.
SEA>NRT Started March 1 2019 (from B767/A333). First flight was flown by N502DN.

Press Releases Regarding A350 Routes:
http://news.delta.com/delta-s-new-a3...eon-march-2018
http://news.delta.com/delta-expands-...rope-and-china

A350-900: 19/35 delivered (19 in service, 0 in induction).
3501 N501DN Delivered TLS>ATL Aug 5 2017. Entered service Oct 31 2017. Flew the first A350 flight DTW>ICN Nov 18 2017. C+ installed at MSP Jan 10-Feb 2 2021.
3502 N502DN Delivered TLS>ATL Sept 1 2017. Entered service and flew the inaugural A350 flight DTW>NRT Oct 30 2017. C+ installed at MSP Feb 17-March 1 2021.
3503 N503DN Delivered TLS>MSP Nov 1 2017. Entered service DTW>NRT Nov 18 2017. Flew the first A350 flight DTW>PEK Jan 17 2018. C+ installed at MSP Feb 2-16 2021.
3504 N504DN Delivered TLS>MSP Nov 29 2017. Entered service DTW>NRT Dec 18 2017. Flew the first A350 flight ATL>ICN on March 24 2018. Flew the first A350 flight LAX>PVG on July 2 2018. C+ installed at MSP March 1-15 2021.
3505 N505DN Delivered TLS>ATL>MSP Dec 12-13 2017. Entered service DTW>NRT Jan 12 2018. C+ installed at MSP March 26-April 9 2021.
3506 N506DN Delivered TLS>ATL Dec 22 2017. Entered service DTW>ICN Feb 7 2018. C+ installed at MSP March 15-26 2021.
3507 N507DN Delivered TLS>ATL Feb 21 2018. Entered service DTW>NRT March 17 2018. C+ installed at MSP Dec 30 2020-Jan 20 2021.
3508 N508DN Delivered TLS>ATL March 6 2018. Entered service DTW>ICN March 30 2018. C+ installed at MSP Jan 17-31 2021.
3509 N509DN Delivered TLS>ATL April 13 2018. Entered service DTW>ICN May 6 2018. C+ installed at MSP Jan 30-Feb 15 2021.
3510 N510DN Delivered TLS>ATL May 24 2018. Entered service DTW>NRT June 16 2018. C+ installed at MSP Feb 15-March 6 2021.
3511 N511DN Delivered TLS>ATL June 14 2018. Entered service DTW>ICN July 7 2018. C+ installed at MSP March 16-April 16 2021.
3512 N512DN Delivered TLS>ATL Jan 26 2019. Entered service ATL>ICN Feb 14 2019. C+ installed at MSP April 17-22 2021.
3513 N513DZ Delivered TLS>ATL March 1 2019. Entered service DTW>AMS March 21 2019. C+ installed at MSP April 22-25 2021.
Note: all A359s with ship numbers 3514 and higher will be delivered with C+ installed.
3514 N514DN Delivered TLS>NRT Sept 16-17 2020. Entered service DTW>CDG Oct 17 2020.
3515 N515DN Delivered TLS>AMS Sept 16 2020. Entered revenue service (cargo) NRT>ATL Nov 5 2020 and revenue passenger service ATL>ICN Nov 6 2020.
3516 N516DN Delivered TLS>NRT Jan 26-27 2022. Entered service MSP>DTW Feb 24 2022.
3517 N517DZ Delivered TLS>NGO Feb 1-2 2022…then ferried NGO>NRT for induction Feb 12 2022. Entered service DTW>AMS March 7 2022.
3518 N518DZ Delivered TLS>NRT Nov 22-23 2022. Entered service DTW>HND Dec 18 2022.
3519 N519DN Delivered TLS>NRT Dec 16-17 2022. Entered service MSP>PHX Jan 9 2023. ViaSat IFC (prototype).
MSN 654 3520 N520DN...Delivery scheduled 2024.
MSN 661 3521 N521DN...Delivery scheduled 2024.
MSN 673 3522 N522DN...Delivery scheduled 2024.
MSN 677 3523 N523DN...Delivery scheduled 2024.
MSN 680 3524 N524DN...Delivery scheduled 2024.
MSN xxx 3525 N525DN...Delivery scheduled 2024.
MSN xxx 3526 N526DN...Delivery scheduled 2024.
MSN xxx 3527 N527DN...Delivery scheduled 2025.
MSN xxx 3528 N528DN...Delivery scheduled 2025.

Upcoming deliveries/orders as of 12/31/22:
2023 0
2024 7
2025 6
2026 & later 3
Total 16

A350-900 (35L): 9
MSN 024...3568...N568DZ...ex PR-XTA...ferried VCV>SEA>SIN May 5-8 2023 for induction. Induction completed & ferried SIN>SEA>ATL Aug 19-20 2023….entered service ATL>MXP Sept 3 2023. ViaSat IFC.
MSN 027...3569...N569DZ...ex PR-XTB...ferried VCV>SEA>SIN April 13-15 2023 for induction...induction completed & ferried SIN>LAX>ATL July 7 2023...entered service ATL>BCN July 15 2023. ViaSat IFC.
MSN 048...3570...N570DZ...ex A7-AMC/PR-XTE...ferried VCV>SEA>SIN Feb 24-26 2023 for induction...induction completed & ferried SIN>ATL May 17 2023...entered service ATL>CDG May 27 2023. ViaSat IFC.
MSN 064...3571...N571DZ... ex A7-AMB/PR-XTF...ferried VCV>SEA>SIN Jan 12-14 2023 for induction...induction completed & ferried SIN>ATL April 4 2023...entered service ATL>AMS April 15 2023. ViaSat IFC.
MSN 200...3572...N572DZ...ex PR-XTH...ferried VCV>SEA>SIN Nov 9-11 2022 for induction...induction completed & ferried SIN>ATL Jan 20 2023…entered service ATL>GTB Feb 11 2023. ViaSat IFC.
MSN 250...3573...N573DZ...ex PR-XTI…ferried VCV>SEA>SIN Sept 27-29 2022 for induction...induction completed & ferried SIN>ATL Dec 7 2022...entered service DTW>HNL Jan 1 2023. No WiFi. In mods for ViaSat IFC.
MSN 265...3574...N574DZ...ex A7-AQA/PR-XTJ...ferried VCV>SEA>SIN June 2-5 2022 for induction...induction completed & ferried SIN>SEA>MSP Aug 19 2022...entered service ATL>SEA Sept 9 2022. 2Ku WiFi.
MSN 282...3575...N575DZ...ex A7-AQB/PR-XTK...ferried VCV>SEA>SIN Feb 11-13 2022 for induction…induction completed & ferried SIN>MSP June 1 2022…entered service ATL>DTW June 13 2022. 2Ku WiFi.
MSN 313...3576...N576DZ...ex A7-AQC/PR-XTL...ferried VCV>SEA>SIN March 10-12 2022 for induction…induction completed & ferried SIN>MSP July 18 2022…entered service ATL>SEA Aug 2 2022. 2Ku WiFi.
*The 9 ex-LATAM frames were refurbished between February 2022 and September 2023…config of the 3-class cabin is D1/30…C+/63…MC/246 for a total of 339 seats.

Best Seats, Amenities, & Experiences on Delta's A350

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May 5, 17, 9:11 pm

#151

readywhenyouare

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Zorak

"You must be a professional motivational speaker. Your posts are always so positive and uplifting."

IIRC you had numerous complaints about people being negative and raining on your parade in CVG threads, but I guess it's different when it's your ox being gored.

This thread is about the A350. Supposedly DTW is the first crembase for the A350. I was stating that if anything happens to the auto industry the hub there won't be able to support all of those Asia flights. I have not knocked or advocated for DTW to lose any service like some people have wished on other hubs. I think Delta would have been safer with the 788. They could probably sustain DTW-HND and or ICN even if GM or Chrysler fail. But filling a behemoth like the A350 would be unrealistic if that happens. Smaller is always better. You can always raise prices if demand is high. But if demand sinks you will be in a world of hurt trying to fill ~350 seats.

Also, the only reason big airplanes work for international airlines is because they typically only have one hub. BA-LHR, AF-CDG, KLM-AMS, KE-ICN, etc. Delta has upwards of a dozen TATL/TPAC gateways. Smaller aircraft spread among the gateways just makes more sense.

Last edited by readywhenyouare; May 5, 17 at 9:18 pm

May 5, 17, 9:50 pm

#152

Longboater

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Quote:

Originally Posted by readywhenyouare

You do realise Delta's A350-900 will seat 306, whereas the 777s current seat 291 and after they are refurbished, 296. Delta ruled out the 777-300ER and the A350-1000 as they deemed both aircraft too big for their system. I recall Andersen said they wanted an aircraft 20% smaller than the 376 seat 747s. The A350-900 configuration is just about 20% smaller than the 747s. During the RFP, when it was down to the 787-9 and the A350-900, Boeing offered to sell Delta an additional six 77Ls, allowing Delta to retire the remaining 747s, with the ten 242 tonne A330s they had on order. As Delta had deferred the 787-8s until 2020, there was no way Delta could expedite their delivery, especially since 2014 was time Boeing was trying to delivery 14 787s a month in order to lesson the backlog. Ironically, it was probably Emirates' cancellation of their A350 order which allowed Delta to take up their A350 delivery slots. Fast forward to today, Delta still needs the A350-900 to finish off the 747s. But doesn't need so many of them due to continued pressures of over capacity, longhaul LCCs, the strengthening US dollar.

In hindsight, as of this moment it looks like Delta should have taken Boeing's deal of exercising the six options they have on the 77Ls, which would have deeply discounted and featured the same Performance Improvement Package United's 777-300ERs received, and converted the 18 787-8s into 787-9s, with deliveries commencing in 2020. The orders for 787-8s have all but dried up. The 787-9 has additional range and size with the same operating costs of the 787-8s. Its why Delta never seriously considered the 787-8 after the NW merger was complete. Are there a few routes that are ideal for the 787-8 in Delta's network, yes. DTW-NGO automatically comes to mind. SEA-KIX would likely still be in operation with the 787-8. The A330-200 wouldn't be stretched to the limit on SEA-HKG. You can scrutinise Delta all you want for picking the A350-900 as the 747 replacement but at the time it made complete sense as they planned on receiving 15 in 2017-2018, the same number they will likely end up receiving in total, albeit for now.

May 5, 17, 10:08 pm

#153

readywhenyouare

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Longboater

In hindsight, as of this moment it looks like Delta should have taken Boeing's deal of exercising the six options they have on the 77Ls, which would have deeply discounted and featured the same Performance Improvement Package United's 777-300ERs received, and converted the 18 787-8s into 787-9s, with deliveries commencing in 2020. The orders for 787-8s have all but dried up. The 787-9 has additional range and size with the same operating costs of the 787-8s. Its why Delta never seriously considered the 787-8 after the NW merger was complete. Are there a few routes that are ideal for the 787-8 in Delta's network, yes. DTW-NGO automatically comes to mind. SEA-KIX would likely still be in operation with the 787-8. The A330-200 wouldn't be stretched to the limit on SEA-HKG. You can scrutinise Delta all you want for picking the A350-900 as the 747 replacement but at the time it made complete sense as they planned on receiving 15 in 2017-2018, the same number they will likely end up receiving in total, albeit for now.

Not only that but they would have saved a ton in other expenses such as crew training (777/787 can be flown by same pilots) and maintenance.

May 5, 17, 10:26 pm

#154

KDCAflyer

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Quote:

Originally Posted by readywhenyouare

Not only that but they would have saved a ton in other expenses such as crew training (777/787 can be flown by same pilots) and maintenance.

I doubt that cost is statistically significant, but the fragmentation of DL's fleet is getting absurd at this point. It's almost like they're trying to operate every passenger jet it common use (and some that aren't).

May 5, 17, 10:29 pm

#155

Mountain Explorer

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Quote:

Originally Posted by WWads

the fragmentation of DL's fleet is getting absurd at this point. It's almost like they're trying to operate every passenger jet it common use

Except the 787, which they want no part of (despite it, seemingly, being particularly well suited to DL's network)

May 5, 17, 10:30 pm

#156

readywhenyouare

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Quote:

Originally Posted by WWads

Yes it is way out of hand. I remember the PMDL fleet plan was to eventually get the fleet down to 737,757/767, and 777.

May 6, 17, 1:12 am

#157

pbarnette

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Quote:

Originally Posted by kjnangre

Missed that, thanks.

That's a very lopsided replacement. In that case, maybe they can use the A359s to finally replace the CR2s!!

You seem to think they always replace one aircraft with another.

May 6, 17, 1:18 am

#158

pbarnette

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Quote:

Originally Posted by readywhenyouare

Well, my speculation was correct. .

Nothing actually suggests that. But it is super cool that you think that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by readywhenyouare

Not only that but they would have saved a ton in other expenses such as crew training (777/787 can be flown by same pilots) and maintenance.

Cool. And the A330 and A350 have common type rating. What, again, was your point?

May 6, 17, 1:47 am

#159

readywhenyouare

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Quote:

Originally Posted by pbarnette

Nothing actually suggests that. But it is super cool that you think that.

Cool. And the A330 and A350 have common type rating. What, again, was your point?

Thanks, I didn't know that. Quite fascinating. The A350 flight deck looks a lot different than the A330. Airbus has seemed to take a different approach and has added more screens and buttons to the A350. Boeing took a much more simple and streamlined approach. The 777 and 787 have much cleaner looking flight decks.

BTW, how do you know when I post? It seems you always reply whenever I post something.

May 6, 17, 2:22 pm

#160

ehaase

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Longboater

I think the 787-8 and 787-9 are a better size plane for Delta than the 339 and 359, but I also think Airbus offered the 339 at a lower cost than Boeing offered the 787, and the 339's have competitive operating costs for the kind of routes Delta will put them on. The 339 is awfully big to replace 763's, but Delta got them relatively cheaply from what I have read. I think the 10 359's deferred to 2023 will end up replacing the 777ER's, which will be around 23 years old then.

May 6, 17, 3:36 pm

#161

pbarnette

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ehaase

Delta already has over 50 planes that are roughly in the same class as the A359 and A339. I suspect they have a better idea what size plane they need than we do.

May 8, 17, 10:00 am

#162

rwoman

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Delta considering joining AA in deferring A350 deliveries

Quote:

According to the report, while the US carrier is looking to take delivery of five A350s this year as planned, it wants to postpone deliveries slated for 2019 and 2020 by three years.

...
The report indicates Delta is reviewing its medium-term longhaul demand projection and attempting to match capacity to anticipated demand

More narrow bodies instead?

May 8, 17, 10:04 am

#163

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Quote:

Originally Posted by rwoman

Delta considering joining AA in deferring A350 deliveries

More narrow bodies instead?

This is old news, read the last few pages for discussion about the postponement. I can't see why this would have any impact on the narrowbody fleet.

May 8, 17, 10:14 am

#164

rwoman

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Quote:

Originally Posted by kjnangre

This is old news, read the last few pages for discussion about the postponement. I can't see why this would have any impact on the narrowbody fleet.

Thanks for including the common layer of FT snark.

If you read the posted link...anticipated shift with a focus on short/medium haul narrowbody a/c.

Quote:

Given the shift in focus to short- and medium-haul routes, Delta is reportedly readying itself to issue a Request for Proposals in either August or September for the A320neo and the B737 MAX. According to Leeham News' Market Intelligence, the tender is said to be for seventy-five firm orders and seventy-five options.

Perhaps the article is mistakenly tying the two together...

May 8, 17, 7:55 pm

#165

ehaase

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Quote:

Originally Posted by rwoman

Thanks for including the common layer of FT snark.

If you read the posted link...anticipated shift with a focus on short/medium haul narrowbody a/c.

Perhaps the article is mistakenly tying the two together...

My guess is this new single aisle RFP will be to continue replacing domestic 757's as well start replacing MD90's and 320's. I think Delta will still end up with at least 25 350-900's, but the 10 deferred to 2023 may be used to start replacing 777ER's.

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