Delta A350-1000 Likely To Debut On Seoul Routes

Delta Air Lines may debut its new Airbus A350-1000 on nonstop flights from Atlanta and Detroit to Seoul Incheon. That's according to unconfirmed rumors reported by Simple Flying, citing aviation insider JonNYC on X. Delta did not comment by deadline.

Delta has ordered up to 20 of the A350-1000, the largest variant, with first delivery expected early 2027. The aircraft will become the biggest in Delta's fleet since the Boeing 747 retired in 2017. It will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines and feature a new Delta One seat with the airline's largest seat-back screens yet. Up to half the cabin will be dedicated to premium passengers.

Why Seoul first? Simple Flying notes that Incheon is Delta's largest Asian hub and a key connecting point for SkyTeam partner Korean Air. The two airlines operate a joint venture with about 2,000 daily passengers between the Americas and Asia, linking 290 destinations in the Americas and 80 in Asia. Both use Terminal 2 at Incheon, simplifying connections and baggage transfers.

The A350-1000 order is part of Delta's widebody modernization, replacing older Boeing 767-300ERs. The new planes offer up to 25% lower fuel burn and lower emissions per seat mile. With a range of 9,100 nautical miles, Delta could also add the aircraft to other Asia-Pacific routes, possibly including Singapore, as deliveries continue after early 2027.

For travelers, this means more seats on a popular route and an upgraded premium cabin experience - but the schedule and exact configuration are still unconfirmed.

• Airbus A350-1000
• Atlanta
• Delta Air Lines
• Detroit
• Seoul Incheon
• SkyTeam