Delta Air Lines will expand its presence on the Atlanta-Madrid route by operating its flights with Airbus A350 aircraft. The flights will begin on March 30, 2024 and will use the twin-aisle aircraft previously owned by LATAM Airlines.
This strategic decision by Delta aims to strengthen its A350 fleet at Atlanta/Hartsfield, the largest and busiest airport location in the world. The American airline announced the addition of the A350, which LATAM Airlines had returned after the start of their partnership.
Until now, Flight DL108, connecting Atlanta to Madrid, was operated using Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, with a capacity to carry 211 to 226 passengers depending on cabin configuration. Delta’s 767s are divided into two classes, each with a layout that accommodates 211 seats (36 in business class and 175 in economy) and 226 passengers (26 in business class and 200 in economy). In addition, some of the 767s have a three-class configuration for 216 passengers.
In contrast, The A350s, previously owned by LATAM Airlines, have a capacity to carry 339 passengers in two classes, unlike the A350s purchased directly from Delta, which have capacity for 306 passengers spread across three classes. This fleet change will not only increase seat availability on the Atlanta-Madrid route, but also expand cargo capacity in the cargo hold.
Growth of the A350 fleet in Atlanta
Over the last year, Delta has strengthened its A350 fleet in Atlanta/Hartsfield and currently serves 13 routes with this model, including destinations such as Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, ​​​​Paris, Cape Town, Dublin, Tokyo-Haneda, Johannesburg, Lima, Milan, Santiago and Tel Aviv. Madrid will be the fourteenth destination in the Delta Air Lines network from Atlanta served by the A350 fleet.
Cancelation of the route to the island of Maui
The company recently made the decision to cancel the route between Minneapolis (MSP) and Kahului (OGG)., in the state of Hawaii, before its release. In addition, the company was suspended Round-trip flights between Atlanta (ATL) and Kahului (OGG).
Kahului is the largest city on the island of Maui and was recently hit by a series of fires that caused significant damage to urban areas and much of the island’s terrain.
