Photo courtesy of Airbus
Delta Air Lines has added to its fleet the first kind of long-haul aircraft to feature next-generation 2Ku connectivity, Delta said. Last week, the airline said it became the first in North America to operate the Airbus A350.
The 306-seat A350-900 is set to primarily fly on routes across the Pacific. Initially, Delta said, it will fly to Tokyo-Narita; Seoul, South Korea; and Beijing. This new aircraft is part of Delta’s effort to “optimize” its Pacific network. The A350s will replace Delta’s Boeing 747-400s and should generate 20% savings in operating cost per seat, comparatively, according to Delta.
“The Airbus A350 sets a new standard of flying experience for our customers, representing years of product innovation as Delta continues to transform into a leading global carrier,” said Ed Bastian, Delta’s CEO. “Our new flagship A350 fits well in Delta’s long-haul network, combining an exceptional customer experience with strong operating economics and fuel-efficiency as we retire older, less-efficient aircraft.”
Delta said it has made a multi-billion dollar investment in customer experience. This includes seatback entertainment systems with free entertainment and access to Wi-Fi on almost every flight.