Delta: Improving passenger comfort on domestic narrowbody aircraft

ATLANTA – Delta Air Lines said it is investing more than $770 million to refresh the interiors on its Boeing 757-200, 737-800, Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft.

The investment, to be made through 2016, will provide power at every seat, add new slim-line seats with adjustable headrests, updated lavatories, add more efficient galleys and additional features to improve passenger comfort, the airline said.

“We’re continuing to make smart long-term investments in our products and services to meet the expectations of our customers,” Glen Hauenstein, executive vice president – chief revenue officer, said in a statement. “In just six years, we will have made updated to interiors throughout Delta’s fleet giving customers improved comfort and more options to work or relax and be entertained.”

757-200 improvements

Delta’s modifications to 56 of its 757-200 aircraft will include installing in-seat video, satellite TV and access to power for every passenger, along with new galleys, updated LED cabin lighting, new lavatory designs as well as larger capacity overhead bins, the airline said. Delta will be the first carrier in North America to install the new bin system which will increase passenger carry-on baggage capacity by more than 50 percent.

The 49 modified domestic aircraft will feature a layout of 20 First Class seats, 29 Economy Comfort seats and 150 Economy seats. The remaining seven 757-200 international aircraft will have a configuration of 18 First Class seats, 28 Economy Comfort seats and 151 Economy seats.

737-800 improvements

The investment in 43 of Delta’s 737-800 aircraft will include the addition of in-seat video with satellite TV, new LED cabin lighting and updated lavatories, according to Delta. The aircraft will be configured with 16 First Class seats, 18 Economy Comfort seats and 126 Economy seats.

When the modifications are complete, Delta’s entire fleet of 73 737-800 aircraft will have in-seat video with access to satellite TV and in-seat power throughout the aircraft.

A319 and A320 improvements

Delta’s 57 A319 and 69 A320 aircraft will receive complete interior updates including new seats in both First Class and Economy cabins with in-seat power throughout the aircraft, Delta said. The aircraft will also receive new space-saving galleys, new lavatories, new larger-capacity overhead bins with an average increase of 60 percent more carry-on baggage space, updated LED lighting systems and new cabin interiors.

Updates to the A319 fleet will also include the installation of in-seat video with satellite TV.

The A319 will include 12 seats in First Class and the A320 will have 16 First Class seats. All Economy seats on both aircraft types will feature wider seats with an increase from the current 17.2 inches to 18 inches for each seat. Both fleets will have 18 Economy Comfort seats with 34 inches of pitch. Economy seats will each have 31 inches of pitch on both aircraft with 102 seats on the A319 and 126 seats on the A320.