Why Delta is Phasing Out Its A350 Flagship Cabins

ATLANTA- Delta Air Lines is on the brink of finishing the phase-out of its older Airbus A350-900 cabins, which were part of its acquisition from LATAM Airlines. This transition signals the closing of a brief period characterized by these less premium long-haul interiors.

The last flights featuring the older configurations are anticipated to conclude by late October 2025, with operations centered at Atlanta International Airport (ATL). This update brings Delta’s A350 fleet in line with its elevated premium expectations.

Delta Air Lines Moves Away from Older A350

In 2019, Delta made a strategic investment in LATAM Airlines, ultimately obtaining nine Airbus A350-900 aircraft after LATAM’s bankruptcy filing in 2020. This acquisition enabled Delta to address capacity shortages resulting from the retirement of its Boeing 777 fleet during the pandemic.

Reports indicate that these older Delta A350s entered service lacking premium economy seating and featured a business class layout that didn’t provide direct aisle access for all passengers.

In comparison, Delta’s standard A350-900 configuration includes 306 seats, featuring 32 business class seats arranged in a 1-2-1 layout with doors, along with 48 premium economy seats and 226 economy seats.

By contrast, the ex-LATAM aircraft accommodated 339 seats, had no premium economy option, and offered less privacy in its business class. Although Wi-Fi was later added, feedback highlighted the outdated ambiance versus Delta’s flagship offerings.

Transition to a Premium A350 Configuration

Since 2024, Delta has been actively retrofitting these aircraft to a more comfortable lower-density layout, decreasing the total passenger capacity from 306 to 275. This new setup incorporates 40 business class seats with doors, 48 premium economy seats, and 195 economy seats, significantly improving passenger comfort and matching Delta’s premium branding.

Of the nine ex-LATAM A350-900s, seven have already undergone reconfiguration. The last flight utilizing the previous layout is scheduled for October 25, 2025, aligning with the close of the IATA summer season, thereby ensuring that most travelers booking long-haul flights later that year will experience the newly updated interiors.

Modernization of Delta’s Fleet

As the retrofit of the A350 fleet approaches completion, Delta still has some aging Boeing 767-300ER aircraft operating on certain international routes. These planes boast one of the least competitive business class offerings among US airline rivals, with plans for their eventual retirement from international service by 2030.

This continuous fleet modernization highlights Delta’s commitment to creating a more consistent and premium experience throughout its long-haul offerings.