Delta retires all 18 Boeing 777s citing fuel efficiency of Airbus A350-900

Delta Air Lines announced it will retire its entire fleet of 18 Boeing 777-200ER and 777-200LR aircraft by the end of 2020, after using them on long‑haul Pacific routes.

The airline also accelerated the retirement of its MD‑88 and MD‑90 fleets and had parked more than 650 mainline and regional aircraft at the pandemic peak, while burning about $50 million in cash each day during that period; Delta said the Airbus A350‑900 burns 21% less fuel per seat than the Boeing 777, and it had already invested $100 million in cabin retrofits for the 777s before deciding to retire them.