Delta Opts for Airbus

Delta Air Lines bought 100 jets from Airbus instead of its rival, Boeing.

In a deal worth over $12.7bn, the budget North American airline chose to back Airbus by buying a large order of its A321neo jets. The airline will take delivery of the single-aisle planes in 2020 and has retained the option to purchase a further 100 jets. Meanwhile, Boeing will be licking its wounds as it now turns elsewhere to offload its 300 brand new Max 10 737s. The deal follows another large order of Airbus planes by Delta in 2014, when the carrier purchased 50 wide-body aircraft for $14bn. The last time Delta bought a major order of Boeing planes was in 2011, when it purchased 100 737s.