Delta Drops Plans for Narrowbody Transatlantic Flights

Delta Air Lines has decided not to operate transatlantic flights using narrowbody aircraft, citing “brand issues,” according to the carrier’s president, Glen Hauenstein. Speaking during Delta’s third-quarter investor call in early October, Hauenstein said the airline opted to maintain a widebody-only approach on long-haul routes to preserve its premium brand positioning.

“In 2025, we’ve chosen not to fly narrowbodies in the transatlantic market because of product and brand issues,” he stated. “We’re not going to go in that direction.” He did not elaborate on the specific concerns, but a Delta spokesperson later clarified that Hauenstein’s comments referred to the superior passenger experience provided by widebody aircraft, emphasizing comfort and amenities over fleet limitations.

Delta has not yet confirmed any long-term adjustments to its transatlantic fleet strategy. The airline’s current fleet includes more than 1,000 aircraft, featuring Airbus A330s and A350s for intercontinental routes and a large mix of A220s, A320s, and Boeing 737s for domestic and regional services.

For the first three quarters of 2025, Delta reported USD47.3 billion in operating revenue and a USD3.7 billion net profit, with strong performance across all geographic markets. Hauenstein noted that Delta remains well-positioned to finish the year from “a position of strength,” adding that the airline sees a healthy supply-demand balance extending into 2026.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com