Delta Air Lines has introduced its first specially configured Airbus A321neo into charter service, transporting sports teams across the United States. Registered N701DH, the aircraft is the first of 14 A321neos planned to replace the airline’s ageing Boeing 757 charter fleet, which has been operating these flights for more than a decade.
Getting into the Charter Business
Like most airlines, Delta did not have a fleet specifically dedicated to charter operations. However, in 2015, the airline signed a unique deal with the National Basketball Association (NBA) to lease and reconfigure aircraft specifically for team charters. Between 2015 and 2016, Delta took 11 of its older 757s (fleet numbers 649–666) and reconfigured them with 72 seats. These jets can easily be distinguished by their fewer windows and lack of winglets. During the NBA season, these aircraft would transport teams between different cities in first-class seats to ensure players could get proper rest on road trips. During the off-season, the NBA allowed these jets to be used for other charters, mainly hockey and baseball, keeping the fleet operating year-round. With the aircraft ageing and accumulating more flight cycles, both Delta and the NBA needed a replacement.
In Comes the A321neo
The logical choice to replace the 757s was the A321neo due to its similar size, especially as Delta already operates just over 100 examples of the type. Therefore, Delta, the NBA and SMBC Aviation Capital reached an agreement for the NBA to lease 14 new A321neos, which will be operated by Delta. Upon delivery, the jets are ferried to Indianapolis (IND) to undergo their cabin transformations, reportedly featuring 16 lie-flat seats, 44 extra-legroom seats and 30 regular economy seats at the back, bringing the total to just 90, compared to 194 in Delta’s standard configuration. These new jets will additionally feature a lower cabin altitude, humidifiers and custom lighting to improve the onboard experience, while increased cargo capacity will allow teams to bring more equipment with them.
The Current Plan
The current plan is to gradually introduce the A321neos before retiring the 757s from service. This transition will likely take a few years, given the time required to configure the cabins after delivery. The first aircraft, N701DH, was delivered to the airline in late March and did not enter service until mid-September. On 14 October, N704DV was flown to Indianapolis, becoming the third aircraft delivered, although only N701DH had completed its cabin upgrades at the time. This means some of the aircraft in the current fleet could reach 40 years of age. However, as the order nears completion, the 757s will gradually be withdrawn from service, potentially before 2030.
With the introduction of the new charter A321neos, teams will enjoy a more comfortable and seamless journey to their next game. As more aircraft complete their cabin modifications and enter service, these upgrades will gradually become available across the fleet, improving the travel experience for players while providing Delta with aircraft that are more fuel-efficient and cheaper to operate than the ageing 757s.
