Delta orders 75 jets from Bombardier in victory for Canadian manufacturer
Delta announced an order for 75 jets from Bombardier on Thursday, marking the first U.S. airline to make a deal with the Canadian aircraft manufacturer.
The lightweight, narrow-body CS100 jets will replace some of Delta's older, less fuel-efficient planes on short- and medium-haul routes.
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"As we reshape our fleet for the future, the innovative onboard experience of the C Series is a perfect complement for the top-notch service provided every day by Delta people," Delta's incoming chief executive Ed Bastian said in a statement. "These new aircraft are a solid investment, allowing us to take advantage of superior operating economics, network flexibility and best-in-class fuel performance."
The deal is valued at $5.6 billion.
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The order comes after years of challenges and delays for Bombardier, as airline industry publication Leeham News notes. Bombardier's C-series manufacturing program launched in 2009, but the first CS100 jet has not yet entered service for an airline — it is scheduled to do so for Lufthansa Group's Swiss airline in July.
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The C-series, which also includes the CS300, focuses on 100-150 seat aircraft "to deliver unparalleled economic advantage to operators and to open up new opportunities for single-aisle aircraft operations," according to Bombardier.
The company is also emphasizing interior comfort, which should come as a relief to anyone flying economy in the U.S.
"The aircraft offers 19-inch-wide seats that set a new industry standard," Bombardier said in a statement, in addition to "large overhead bins that accommodate a carry-on bag for each passenger, and the largest windows in the single-aisle market."
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The delivery of the CS100 jets to Delta is scheduled to begin in 2018.
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