Delta Plans Airbus A321neo With New First Class Seats Configuration

ATLANTA— Delta Air Lines (DL) is preparing to introduce an unusual Airbus A321neo configuration featuring 44 first class seats. The move appears less about strategy and more about keeping aircraft out of storage while certification issues delay the carrier’s planned premium layout.

The new setup contrasts sharply with Delta’s standard Airbus A321neo fleet operating across major U.S. hubs such as New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX), which typically seats 194 passengers with only 20 first class seats.

Photo: Delta

Delta A321neo First Class

According to industry reports as shared by JonNYC, Delta’s planned configuration includes 44 first class seats, 54 Comfort+ seats with extra legroom, and 66 standard economy seats. This brings the total capacity to 164 passengers, significantly fewer than the standard 194-seat layout.

For comparison, Delta’s existing A321neos carry:

• 20 first class seats
• 60 Comfort+ seats
• 114 standard economy seats

The new arrangement nearly doubles the size of the first class cabin, creating the largest premium narrowbody layout in the U.S. market.

Photo: Delta Air Lines

The Certification Hurdle

Delta ordered a subfleet of Airbus A321neos specifically designed for premium transcontinental routes. These aircraft were supposed to feature 148 seats in a four-class layout:

• 16 business class seats with lie-flat beds
• 12 premium economy seats
• 54 Comfort+ seats
• 66 economy seats

However, the airline has faced delays in certifying the new business class product. Several of these A321neos remain parked in storage as a result, generating costs without producing revenue.

To mitigate the problem, Delta appears ready to temporarily replace the uncertified business class section with additional domestic-style first class seats. This change could yield up to 44 first class seats per aircraft, a figure rarely seen on narrowbody planes, OMAAT shared.

Photo: Delta Air Lines

Why Delta Is Taking This Approach

Parking aircraft is expensive and limits operational flexibility. By introducing a high-density first class configuration, Delta can:

• Deploy stored aircraft on domestic and medium-haul routes
• Offer more premium seating to meet growing demand
• Reuse temporary first class seats later on new deliveries once certification clears

This approach allows the airline to avoid grounding planes for months while maintaining flexibility to revert to the intended premium layout in the future.

Photo: Clément Alloing

Operational Challenges Ahead

While the temporary cabin layout creates more first class inventory, it also raises service concerns.

Managing 44 premium passengers with current staffing levels may strain crews, requiring adjustments in service routines.

The first aircraft could enter service within months, though no flights are currently scheduled with the new configuration. If implemented, these A321neos would represent the most premium-heavy domestic layout in Delta’s history.

Photo: Aero Icarus | Flickr

Bottom Line

Delta Air Lines (DL) is preparing to launch a modified Airbus A321neo configuration with 44 first class seats as a temporary measure while business class certification issues persist.

Rather than leave aircraft idle, the airline plans to deploy them with an interim premium-focused design, offering more domestic first class capacity than any competitor.

The configuration is expected to be short-term, with the airline eventually restoring the original transcontinental-focused cabin once regulatory hurdles are cleared.

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