Delta Air Lines (DL, Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson) will exercise options for twelve A220-300s, bringing its A220 back order to 70. The optioned aircraft are scheduled for delivery across 2027 and 2028.

Delta Air Lines already operates sixty-one A220s, including forty-five A220-100s and sixteen A220-300s. The airline has revisited its original A220 order multiple times, increasing the number of aircraft it will take. The updated back order tally exclusively comprises A220-300s. When all the aircraft are delivered, Delta Air Lines will be the biggest A220 operator in the world.

“The A220-300 offers efficient performance and flexibility,” said Delta's fleet vice president, Kristen Bojko. "The continuing expansion of Delta’s A220 family is an integral investment in the future of sustainable aviation."

Separately, in a US Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) filing this week, Delta Air Lines said it had taken delivery of 18 aircraft in the six months to June 30, including 12 aircraft in the most recent quarter, comprising one A220-300, one A330-900N, and ten A321-200NX. The airline also disclosed that in addition to exercising the A220-300 options, they also ordered a single additional A330-900N, taking the back order of that type to 17.

In the same filing, Delta Air Lines also released details of the best quarterly revenue and profitability results in its history. The airline reported record 2Q23 operating revenues of USD14.6 billion and a record quarterly operating income of USD2.5 billion, with an operating margin of 17.1%. As of June 30, 2023, Delta's liquidity stood at USD8.8 billion, with that amount that includes cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments, and undrawn revolving credit facilities.

"Consumer demand for air travel remains robust," said CEO Ed Bastian. "We expect total revenue (in the September quarter) to be similar to the June quarter."