Delta sets tentative date for first flight of larger Airbus A220-300
Delta Air Lines is getting ready to introduce an all new jet to its fleet in just over six weeks, a welcome bit of good news amid the drum beat of aircraft retirements during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Atlanta-based carrier plans to debut its first Airbus A220-300s on Nov. 10, according to the latest update to Cirium schedules. The jet is a larger variant of the A220-100 that Delta already flies with room for 130 passengers, including 12 in first class, 30 Comfort Plus seats and 88 in economy.
Delta's first A220-300 flight is tentatively scheduled as DL718 departing Salt Lake City (SLC) at 1:35 p.m. local time for Houston Bush Intercontinental (IAH) on Nov. 10, Cirium shows. A second flight, DL1058, is scheduled to depart the Utah capital at 5:55 p.m. for Austin (AUS) the same day, as is a return flight from Houston to Salt Lake City.
The flights were first reported by AirlineGeeks.
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“We look forward to welcoming the A220-300 into our fleet this November," Delta spokesperson Drake Castañeda told TPG. He did not confirm the exact date or flight.
Flyers interested in getting on these initial A220-300 flights beware: these schedules are subject to change, often due to a myriad of factors outside of the airlines control. For example, the airline's first A220-100 flight was postponed nearly two weeks because of a certification delay related to the government shutdown at the time that lasted until Jan. 25, 2019.
The news comes just days after Delta disclosed that it has moved forward plans to retire its Boeing 717s and 767-300ERs, as well as its Bombardier CRJ200s due to COVID-19. The 125 CRJ200s in the Delta Connection fleet will be gone by the end of 2023, and the 91 717s and 49 remaining 767-300ERs by end-2025.
The three types join Boeing 737-700s and 777s, as well as McDonnell Douglas MD-88s and MD-90s, among planes Delta is retiring because of the pandemic. The 737-700s left this month, MD-88s and MD-90s left in June and the 777s are due to fly their final scheduled flight in October.
Related: Why the new Airbus A220 is popular with airlines during the coronavirus pandemic
The end point of all these moves is a simpler fleet for Delta. Reducing the number of jet types it flies will save the airline money in everything from crew training to maintenance needs. Simplification can also improve operations for passengers, reducing the likelihood of a plane being swapped for another jet with a different seating layout.
On Sept. 17, J.P. Morgan analyst Jamie Baker wrote that Delta's goal is to streamline its fleet around eight aircraft "families." This means planes with common training and maintenance needs. The 737-800 and 737-900ER, as an example, are all part of one aircraft family though the interiors are different for flyers.
Delta had firm orders for 50 A220-300s as well as 14 more of the A220-100 at the end of August, according to Airbus orders and deliveries data. The carrier flew 31 of the smaller A220 -- a number unchanged since the beginning of the crisis.
Related: Delta still flying all of its A220s even as the coronavirus grounds more than half its fleet
The A220 has proven its worth for Delta for the duration of the pandemic. It is the only type that the carrier has not put any in storage. Instead, Delta has flown its full cohort of A220s since air travel tanked in March.
“We have some planes that we’re going to start taking from Airbus again," Delta CEO Ed Bastian told pilots during a virtual town hall on Sept. 22 viewed by TPG. He cited the recent arrival of two A350s and said more A220s and A321s were on their way before the end of 2020.
Related: Airbus rolls out first A220 assembled in Mobile
Updated with comment from Delta.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.