Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) will continue its narrowbody fleet renewal with the state-of-the-art Bombardier C Series, providing for added network flexibility with more fuel-efficient mainline aircraft, the company said.
As the US launch customer, Delta´s firm order for 75 CS100s allows the company to cost-effectively reshape and upgauge its narrowbody fleet, providing an improved customer experience and better cost efficiency while maintaining a focus on prudent capital deployment.
This transaction is part of Delta´s domestic strategy to upgauge the fleet, allowing the company to achieve its long-term financial targets, including 15 percent EPS growth and generation of USD4-5 billion in free cash flow annually, while replacing less efficient domestic aircraft. With the order of the C Series, Delta will no longer induct the E190 into its fleet as planned.
Powered by Pratt & Whitney´s latest geared turbofan PW1500G engine, the CS100 takes advantage of advanced technology and composite materials designed to deliver an expected 20 percent improvement in fuel efficiency over similar sized aircraft when it enters service with Delta in spring 2018. The reduced noise and emissions of the C Series aligns with Delta´s broader goal to reduce the airline´s environmental footprint.
The CS100 features a state-of-the-art interior with the largest windows in the single-aisle market, full-spectrum ambient lighting, seatback in-flight entertainment, in-flight Wi-Fi, high-capacity overhead bins and among the widest seats of any narrowbody aircraft in a customer-preferred two-by-three Main Cabin and Delta Comfort+ configuration, as well as a two-by-two First Class layout.
Bombardier´s all-new, lightweight mainline aircraft will be deployed on short- to medium-haul routes throughout the airline´s network. As part of this transaction, Delta has options for 50 additional C Series aircraft and certain delivery flexibility rights including the ability to substitute the larger CS300 aircraft. The order means Delta will fly customers on more Bombardier aircraft than any other carrier.
Delta is phasing out some of the airline´s less fuel-efficient planes. Fuel use per passenger mile has been reduced by 8 percent since 2008. The C Series transaction, combined with orders for other narrow and widebody aircraft will reduce the carbon footprint of the fleet and supports Delta´s financial and environmental strategy to consume less fuel.
