Delta's newest widebody aircraft – the Airbus A330-900neo – will begin operations today, with flight DL589 flying from Seattle to Shanghai. As the first North American airline to operate this aircraft type, Delta will use its A330-900neo aircraft for flights connecting Seattle with Seoul beginning Oct. 1 and Tokyo-Narita beginning Oct. 27.

The aircraft launch nearly doubles the premium seat offerings from Seattle to top Asian markets and is the latest in a series of investments Delta has made as it marks the five-year anniversary of its Sea-Tac hub.

"We're transforming the airline customer experience on a global scale and this new aircraft is the latest example of our commitment to our international customers," said Steve Sear, Delta's President — International and E.V.P. — Global Sales. "This state-of-the-art aircraft will provide the latest amenities, entertainment and technology to our customers as they journey to destinations worldwide on Delta's expanding global network."

Delta will add a total of 35 A330-900neos to its fleet, featuring the latest-generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines that produce a 25 percent lower fuel burn than previous generation aircraft. Delta expects to take delivery of 80 new aircraft in 2019, driving a two percent improvement in fuel efficiency. The airline will continue to improve fuel efficiency with orders that replace about 35 percent of its mainline fleet by 2023 with new, more fuel-efficient aircraft. 

This is Delta's first new widebody delivery to feature all four Delta seat experiences, including:

• Delta One Suite (29): The award-winning Delta One Suites offer a private, personal experience, with a full-height door at every suite for enhanced privacy and comfort. Each suite features a fully flat-bed seat with direct aisle access, as well as more stowage for personal items, larger in-flight entertainment screens and memory foam enhanced comfort cushions. Using customer feedback, the Delta One suites on the A330-900neo have been redesigned to allow for a larger workspace and more stowage.
• Delta Premium Select (28): Designed with comfort in mind, Delta Premium Select offers more personal space with up to 38 inches of pitch, seat width of 18.5 inches, up to seven inches of recline, adjustable leg and head rests and water bottle stowage. Customers will arrive well-rested thanks to additional space, dedicated service and amenity kits with all the all the travel essentials needed to settle in.
• Delta Comfort+ (56): An enhanced seating option that features 34 inches of pitch, up to five inches of recline, dedicated overhead bin space and placement just in front of the Main Cabin.
• Main Cabin (168): Featuring up to 33 inches of pitch and up to four inches of recline, seating also includes thoughtful attributes like foam memory cushions, complimentary seatback screen entertainment, in addition to world-class service from Delta flight attendants and Delta's unmatched operational reliability.

The aircraft is the first Delta widebody to feature the new wireless IFE system developed by Delta Flight Products, the airline's wholly owned cabin interior start-up. It is equipped with high-speed 2Ku internet connectivity and customers will have access to free mobile messaging while on board through iMessage, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.

The A330-900neo also features numerous customer-pleasing enhancements available at every seat in every cabin, including memory foam cushions, in-seat power ports, full-spectrum LED ambient lighting, spacious and easy-to-access overhead bins, and thousands of hours of complimentary entertainment via seatback screens throughout the aircraft.

Customers throughout the aircraft will also enjoy outstanding dining options, including a new first-of-its-kind bistro-style main cabin experience launching this November.