Delta Air Lines, fresh from cutting a massive deal with the city of Atlanta that keeps the company’s headquarters in Georgia’s capital city (with it promising not to support a second airport), has scored an industry coup by ordering 75 Bombardier CSeries 100 aircraft. With this order, Delta becomes the CSeries aircraft’s largest customer and deliveries are scheduled to commence in spring 2018.
The deal is worth over $5.3 billion based on the $71.8 million list price of the CS100, according to Airways News writer Vinay Bhaskara, although his sources at the Montreal-based aircraft manufacturer revealed that Delta will receive a massive discount ranging between 65 and 70% off of the list price. This would imply an actual paid price of $24.6 to $28.7 million per aircraft.
A CSeries CS100 in Delta Air Lines colors. (Credit: Delta Air Lines)
“These new aircraft are a solid investment, allowing us to take advantage of superior operating economics, network flexibility and best-in-class fuel performance,” says new Delta CEO Ed Bastian.
Fred Cromer, the president of Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, further says:
“Welcoming Delta Air Lines to the CSeries family of operators is a watershed moment for our game-changing aircraft. As an industry leader, Delta consistently ranks first with customers, business leaders and its peers – a benchmark for operational performance. This order is a resounding endorsement of the CS100 aircraft performance and its exceptionally low operating costs. In addition, its widest aisle, widest seats and largest bins in its class will be attractive features for Delta’s passengers.”
“Delta Air Lines has a 642 mainline narrow-body fleet… The CSeries is a suitable aircraft to grow (in the short run) and replace that fleet, as it offers superior economics to all of these aircraft at the prices that Delta was able to acquire them,” according to Airways News writer Bhaskara..
Delta’s network has a high proportion of short-distance flights and the CSeries is an excellent replacement for such short flights, particularly out of its huge Atlanta hub.
