AviationWeek is reporting DL has informed Boeing they will not take their initial 18 787-8s, citing breach of contract. If true, ZA003 and ZA004 are now unassigned, but will likely go to NH because they can both use the aircraft and they will operate them domestically so their overweight condition is not a problem for such operations.
DL states they have not canceled their order for 18 planes nor have they canceled any of their options. I am guessing they will switch them either for 787-9s and/or for later-trance 787-8s that are at "advertised specification" likely starting around 2013.
Full Version: AWeek Reports DL Will Not Take Initial Trance of 787s
Call Glen Tilton, quick! Here's his chance for 787s.
Is AW solely basing this on DL's annual report? Because last I checked, the fleet info in that report only includes confirmed planed entering and leaving the fleet, with uncertain planes listed as merely a footnote. You can't really tell anything about DL's plans for the 787 from that. No doubt, DL doesn't want the initial 788s, but that doesn't apply for the entire order for all 18. While I don't expect DL to actually take those 18 788s either, nothing is confirmed yet, and DL might still get those after all, depending on what kind of deal they and Boeing agree on.
DL President Ed Bastian made some comments reported in an article at TheStreet.com that might indicate that DL is in fact going to take delivery of ZA003, ZA004 and other "early birds" they are contracted for.
Article at The Street.com
QUOTE
Bastian also moved to counter speculation that a regulatory filing indicated Delta will not take delivery of 18 new 787s from Boeing...Bastian acknowledged that the language, sought by Delta's attorneys, "provoked a lot of controversy." But he noted: "We still have a firm order book on the 787 (and) no one should read anything into our 10K disclosure that we've made any decision about changing course."
He indicated the key issue is the delivery schedule for the long-delayed aircraft and said the two parties are talking. "We'd already have eight flying at this point in time had Boeing been able to deliver," he said.
He indicated the key issue is the delivery schedule for the long-delayed aircraft and said the two parties are talking. "We'd already have eight flying at this point in time had Boeing been able to deliver," he said.
Article at The Street.com
That loud scream heard in Chicago was Glenn Tilton when he learned that early 787 slots would not be available after all.
QUOTE (Aurora @ Mar 10 2009, 04:41 PM) 
That loud scream heard in Chicago was Glenn Tilton when he learned that early 787 slots would not be available after all.
The fact he's even possibly screaming about getting B787's is good news....
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