Delta Plans Premium A321neos With Flat Beds

Delta took delivery of its first A321neo. The airline has 155 of these planes on order. It looks like some of the jets will have a really premium configuration.

Leaked: Delta’s 148-seat Airbus A321neo

Delta shared a fleet guide with pilots that outlined the carrier's unique A321neo plans. The 21 A321neos will have just 148 seats, compared to the standard 194 seats. This also includes:

• 16 Delta One seats (business class), which will be fully flat and in a 1-1 configuration
• 12 Delta Premium Select seats (premium economy), which will be in a 2-2 configuration
• 54 Comfort+ seats (extra legroom economy), which will be in a 3-3 configuration
• 66 Main Cabin seats (economy), which will be in a 3-3 configuration

The leaked seat map shows that Delta will have reverse herringbone seats in business class on these planes, which should be seen on narrow body planes as airlines start to take delivery of the A321XLR.

We don't know when these planes will enter service because Delta hasn't publicly confirmed plans for this configuration. Delta's A321neo deliveries will happen through the year 2027.

What will Delta do with premium Airbus A321neos?

This shouldn't come as much of a surprise, as this is the first we've heard of Delta's A321neo plans. The A321neos will be used for premium transcontinental routes, like New York to Los Angeles.

Delta has used a combination of Boeing 757s and Boeing 767s for these premium routes, though we knew that eventually there needs to be a replacement, especially if Delta wants to compete with a leading product.

• The 757s don’t have a very competitive product, as business class is in a 2-2 configuration, and the planes aren’t great in economy
• The 767s are getting old, and if you’re focusing on a premium market, there’s something to be said for a lower capacity aircraft (so that more frequencies can be operated with more premium seats

Most airlines used to operate wide body aircraft on premium transcontinental routes back in the day. United plans to install flat beds on Boeing MAX 10s, American flies specially configured A321s, and JetBlue has a fleet of Mint-configured A321s.

The configuration Delta is planning is what we would have expected. Premium economy will be offered, but it is not something we have seen on domestic flights before.

Bottom line

Delta is said to be planning on configuring 21 A321neos in a premium configuration. There are lots of extra legroom economy seats on these planes.

Delta needs a plan for refreshing its domestic fleet, and this seems like an ideal way to do it. I will be curious to learn more.

What do you think about Delta's A321neo configuration plans?