The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
Delta Air Lines Won't Get Its Boeing 787-10s Until 2031, So The Airbus A350-1000 Has To Carry Its Asia Bet
The 787-10 has a five-year waitlist with Delta Air Lines, and in its absence, the A350-1000 is set to cover the all-important routes to Seoul Incheon.
Delta Air Lines is pursuing a premium-heavy flagship operation anchored at Seoul Incheon International Airport as part of its joint venture with Korean Air. The carrier has placed an order for the Boeing 787-10, but the aircraft is not expected to arrive until 2031.
With the 787-10 delayed, Delta relies on the Airbus A350-1000 to serve its important routes to Seoul Incheon in the interim. The 787-10 has a five-year waitlist for Delta, creating a gap in the fleet that the A350-1000 must fill.
The report notes that the A350-1000 is tasked with carrying the strategic Seoul Incheon element of Delta’s joint venture-driven plan while the 787-10 deliveries are postponed. This reflects a period during which the A350-1000 will be central to Delta’s Asia-focused network.
No specific dates beyond the 2031 arrival for the 787-10 are provided, and no additional details about routes, aircraft configurations, or outcomes are mentioned. The material emphasizes the interim reliance on the A350-1000 to support Delta’s Asia strategy until the 787-10 can join the fleet.