Delta Air Lines (DL/DAL) is one of the ‘Big Four’ US carriers that define air travel in North America. Joining the likes of American Airlines (AA/AAL), Southwest Airlines (WN/SWA) and United Airlines (UA/UAL), Originally launched under the guise of ‘Huff Daland Dusters’ in 1925, Delta established a vast and prolific route network in the United States and beyond, today deploying a fleet of 1,305 aircraft.
Aircraft type Number in fleet
Airbus A321neo 45
Airbus A319 57
Airbus A320 60
Airbus A321 127
Airbus A330-200 11
Airbus A330-300 31
Airbus A330-900neo 25
Airbus A350-900 28
Boeing 717 68
Boeing 737-800 76
Boeing 737-900 171
Boeing 757-200 106
Boeing 757-300 16
Boeing 767-300 45
Boeing 767-400 21
Airbus A220-100 45
Airbus A220-300 20
Bombardier CRJ200 24
Bombardier CRJ700 19
Bombardier CRJ900 169
Embraer 170 11
Embraer 175L 83
Embraer 175S 47
What is Delta’s oldest narrowbody aircraft?
The oldest narrowbody aircraft in the Delta Air Lines fleet is N649DL, a Boeing 757-232 built in May 1989. One of the oldest active 757 airframes in the United States, this 34-year-old aircraft currently operates a variety of ‘long and thin’ (long range but lower demand) routes across North America. In addition to the mainline fleet, this aircraft previously flew under the colors of Song Airlines, a New York and Orlando-based low-cost subsidiary of Delta that operated between 2003-2006.
The major American legacy carriers tend to have a higher proportion of older aircraft in their fleets than their European counterparts, and Delta is no exception. Coming in a close second is N309US, a 33-year-old Airbus A320-211.
Delta’s oldest widebody aircraft
The oldest widebody aircraft in service with Delta Air Lines is N171DN, a 33-year-old Boeing 767-332ER built in April 1990. N717DN is one of a run of Boeing 767-300 aircraft at Delta that are currently aged 33 years, along with N172DN, N173DN, N175DN, N176DN. As of late 2023, Delta’s oldest widebody jet is mostly used on domestic flights to destinations including Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), San Francisco (SFO) and Atlanta (ATL). Despite its age, the beloved Boeing 767 still holds an essential place in the global fleet. Find out why here.
What about the newest aircraft in the Delta Air Lines fleet?
Delta’s newest narrowbody jet
The newest narrowbody in operation at Delta is N512DE, an Airbus A321neo delivered to Delta in November 2022. Based at Los Angeles (LAX), the aircraft flies daily to destinations including Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Tampa (TPA), Orlando (MCO) and Kailua-Kona (KOA).
The newest widebody jet
Delta’s latest widebody acquisition comes in the form of an Airbus A330-900neo built in February 2023. The aircraft, N412DX, is most commonly used on transatlantic routes between Boston (BOS) and New York (JFK) to Paris (CDG), London (LHR), Amsterdam (AMS) and Athens (ATH).
The newest regional jet (kinda)
Currently based in Salt Lake City (SLC), Delta’s newest regional jet is N314DU, an Airbus A220-300 registered in February 2023. Whilst the larger A220 could be considered a narrowbody, we are placing it in the regional jet category for this review. The aircraft frequently operates to destinations including San Francisco (SFO), Charlotte (CLT) and Spokane (GEG).
Have you flown on any of Delta Air Lines’ newest or oldest aircraft? Leave a comment below.
Cover photo: Spottergirl_777, JetPhotos