Delta Air Lines Airbus A321 First Order is Made in Alabama

AIRBUS Delta Air Lines has placed a firm order with Airbus for 30 A321ceo (current engine option) and 10 A330-300 aircraft. As a result of the merger of Delta and Northwest Airlines, Delta currently operates a large Airbus fleet, including 126 A320 Family aircraft, plus 32 A330s.

"We are always gratified by a significant order from a current operator, as it is the best endorsement of the value and dependability of the Airbus product line," said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer - Customers. "We have longstanding partnerships with the Delta team. Nonetheless, this is the first-ever Delta order for our modern family of comfortable and efficient A320 and A330 aircraft. We look forward to seeing the growth of the Airbus fleet at Delta meet and exceed the needs of the airline's customers and employees for many years to come."

Many of Delta's A321s are expected to be assembled at the brand-new Airbus assembly line in Mobile, Alabama, currently under construction and scheduled to deliver its first aircraft in 2016. The facility represents a $600 million dollar investment in the Gulf Coast region, and will provide 1,000 new jobs in that community.

Delta's A321s will seat 190 people in two classes. The A321 is the largest member of the A320 Family - the world's best-selling and most modern single-aisle aircraft Family. To date, over 9,800 A320 family aircraft have been ordered and more than 5,600 delivered to nearly 390 customers and operators. With proven reliability and extended servicing periods, the A320 Family has the lowest operating costs of any single-aisle aircraft. - FMI: AIRBUS Alabama