Airbus Trumps Boeing for $13 Billion Delta Order

Boeing had proposed to sell Delta its 787-9 Dreamliner and five of its 777-200LRs as a bridge until production slots for the 787 were available. Had Boeing won the order, it would have helped the company fill the production gap the company faces as it transitions from the 777 Classic to its new 777X.

The deciding factor, apparently, was delivery dates. The 787-9 schedule could not accommodate Delta’s delivery requirements, while Airbus was able to shift its schedule to deliver the A350s early. None of the companies involved would comment on the reports.

According to Leeham, Delta is building up an international hub in Seattle and will add the A350 to its flights over the Pacific. The A330 is destined to fly routes over the Atlantic.

Delta currently has 11 A330-200s and 21 A330-300s in its fleet. The airline also flies 10 Boeing 777-200LRs and eight of the 777-200ERs.

Boeing’s shares were down about 0.7% in premarket trading Thursday, at $130.72 in a 52-week range of $116.32 to $144.57.

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