The first Airbus A350-1000 for Delta Air Lines has been spotted in full airline livery at Airbus' facility in Toulouse, France, providing the first public look at the widebody as it approaches completion. Aviation photography outlet Airways Magazine shared the sighting on November 9, with photographs credited to aircraft spotter Eurospot. The aircraft is the first of the A350-1000s Delta has ordered, and its appearance marks a significant milestone ahead of the airline's planned June 2027 commercial debut.
Delta originally announced the order in January 2024, becoming the first US airline to commit to the largest version of Airbus' A350 family. The aircraft will become the largest in Delta's fleet. The first A350-1000 is identified in aviation tracking reports as manufacturer serial number 841. The aircraft still needs to progress through engine installation, ground checks and flight testing before delivery. Delta's official A350 media kit currently lists early 2027 as the start of deliveries, while industry reporting has pointed to June as the intended commercial launch period. Delta has 20 aircraft on firm order, with the possibility of expanding the commitment through additional options.
Delta will introduce its next-generation Delta One business-class suites on the A350-1000, with a reverse-herringbone layout, window-side suites facing outward and center suites offering a movable privacy divider. The updated product includes a flat-bed seat more than six-and-a-half feet (1.98 meters) long and a 24-inch (60.96 centimeters) high-definition seatback screen. The cabin will have 53 Delta One seats, 48 Premium Select seats and 213 Comfort+ and Main Cabin seats, a 50% premium seat mix. Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, the A350-1000 has a published range of up to approximately 8,700 nautical miles (16,112 km) and is expected to deliver more than 20% lower fuel burn per available seat mile than the aircraft it is intended to replace. Simple Flying reported the aircraft is expected to debut on routes to Seoul from Atlanta and Detroit, though Delta has not publicly confirmed the first destinations.