Delta Air Lines schedules Airbus A350 on shortest route between Atlanta and Orlando

Delta Air Lines is continuing its plan to use the Airbus A350-900 on short domestic routes in the United States this year. The plane, which has become the carrier’s flagship aircraft, is now expected to operate flights between Atlanta and Orlando for a limited time this summer.

This will follow the US legacy carrier’s launch of another short route between Minneapolis and Detroit on the A350 this week. The aircraft will significantly increase capacity on both routes.

Orlando Tower

According to independent aviation blog Ishrion Aviation, Delta updated its flight schedule for July on Saturday. The changes include scheduling the A350-900 between the carrier’s primary hub, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Orlando International Airport (MCO), beginning July 5.

The flight, DL1213, will make a turn at Orlando, meaning the same plane will turn around and return to Atlanta the same day.

Are you interested in the route? Find flights between Atlanta and Orlando right here!

The route covers an average distance of 403 miles, making it the shortest route for Delta’s A350. However, it will be short-lived, since it will only work for a month. Simple Flying previously announced this month that Delta would begin flying the A350 on its shortest route between Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW). ).

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It covers far less distance than what was Delta’s shortest A350 service.

Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows the aircraft will operate as DL1213 exclusively in July on Sundays and Mondays, totaling 18 flights – nine in each direction. The exact aircraft operating the route will also be specific.

A350 seat configurations

A total of 3,051 seats will be offered on the nine flights each way, indicating that each flight has a capacity of 339 passengers, according to Cirium. Delta offers three versions of its A350-900s based on seat configuration; however, only two are three-class presentations. The “359” can accommodate 306 passengers, while the “35H” can accommodate less than 275 passengers due to a larger premium class. The “35L” accommodates the largest number of passengers with 339 seats and is expected to handle all DL1213 A350-900 frequencies in July.

Photo: Airbus

Ishrion Aviation noted that the 35Ls are A350s formerly operated by LATAM Airlines. The interiors of these aircraft include a two-class configuration, unlike the 359 and 35H versions. Delta One class has 30 reclining seats, while the main cabin has the remaining 309 seats in a 3-3-3 configuration. 63 seats in the main cabin are designated as Delta Comfort+ seats and have four additional inches of recline. The other class on the 359 and 35H configurations is Delta Premium Select – the airline’s premium economy version, with wider reclining seats in a 2-4-2 layout.

Strengthening capacity

The addition of the 35L significantly increases capacity between ATL and MCO. With significant MCO demand throughout the year, Delta plans a variety of narrow-body aircraft on this route. The airline will use A321ceo, A321neo, Boeing 737-900ER, 757-200 and 757-300 aircraft between ATL and MCO in June. Out of a total of 916 flights scheduled during the month, the carrier offers 185,785 seats.

In July, Delta will add the A350 along with the same aircraft types starting in June, except the A321neo, to the route. Even though more flights are scheduled compared to the previous month – 930 – the airline will offer a total of 192,010 seats, an increase of more than 6,200 seats.

Photo: Oleh Yatskiv | Shutterstock

Cirium data shows that the A350 will not be scheduled on this route until July. While it’s unclear why Delta will use the plane for 18 flights, it’s likely to meet increased summer demand.

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