Delta Airlines has been using the Airbus A321-200 since 2016 on short to medium-haul routes.
This aircraft is a workhorse for the airline with 127 currently operating.
The A321 closed the gap between the smaller Airbus A320 and the larger Boeing 757 and 767.
In this guide, we will discuss how Delta operates its A321-200s. We’ll cover some of the history of the aircraft with the airline, the routes Delta uses the A321 for, as well as passenger comfort and safety.
What Routes are the Delta A231s used on?
The Airbus A321 is used for short to medium-range domestic routes.
Thanks to the fuel efficiency of the A321, it makes much more sense for the airline to use the A321 for these types of routes.
The smaller A320s are not the best for a transcontinental flight or a flight lasting multiple hours due to its size. Since it’s smaller, the plane will lack the number of seats needed for a longer high-demand route.
This would force the airline to schedule more flights, assign more maintenance & flight personnel, and purchase more fuel, thus increasing the cost of the overall operation of that single route.
The Boeing 757 & 767 at one time, Delta’s primary choice for this type of flight. However, these aircraft types are aging. They are heavy and not efficient enough for operation on short to medium flights.
List of routes we observed Delta Airlines utilizes the Airbus A321 on:
- Los Angeles to Seattle
- Atlanta to San Diego
- Atlanta to Las Vegas
- Atlanta to Milwaukee
- Atlanta to Houston
- Atlanta to New York – LaGuardia
- Atlanta to Boise
- Atlanta to Phoenix
- Atlanta to Austin
- Atlanta to Boston
- Atlanta to Washington-DCA
- Atlanta to San Antonio
- Atlanta to Ontario(CA)
- Atlanta to Raleigh-Durham
- Atlanta to Dallas Forth-Worth
- Atlanta to Denver
- Atlanta to Los Angeles
- Atlanta to West Palm Beach
- Detriot to Boston
- Detroit to Las Vegas
- Detriot to Cancun
- Detriot to San Juan
- Detroit to Portland
- Detroit to San Deigo
- Detriot to Phoenix
- Detriot to Los Angeles
- Minneapolis to New York-LaGuardia
- Minneapolis to Las Vegas
- Minneapolis to San Deigo
- Minneapolis to Atlanta
- Minneapolis to Los Angeles
- Minneapolis to Boston
- Minneapolis to Orlando
- New York-JFK to Orlando
- New York-LaGuardia to Fort Lauderdale
- Salt Lake City to Charlotte
- Salt Lake City to Fort Lauderdale
- Salt Lake City to Detriot
- Salt Lake City to Atlanta
- Salt Lake City to Newark
- Salt Lake City to Orlando
- Salt Lake City to Tampa
When Did Delta Get the Airbus A231?
During the start of the 2010s, Delta was on a mission to begin to replace some its older aircraft in its fleet.
The airline had historically flown with Boeing or McDonnell Douglas Aircraft but identified they wanted to purchase or lease newer Airbus airplanes.
Starting in 2013, Delta began placing orders to acquire the Airbus A321.
As of August 2023, the airline operates 127 A321-200s.
Is Delta Airline’s Airbus A231 Comfortable to Fly On?
There are many mixed reviews on whether it’s comfortable to fly on Delta’s A321 all over the internet.
Comfort is not at the top of mind on A321 flights.
Delta Airbus A321 service is designed for domestic flights between 2 and 4 hours long. Delta wants to get you to A to B safety. You are not flying across oceans to countries overseas onboard the A321-200. So, you can expect flight options not to be as comfortable as what you’ll see on Delta’s Boeing 777 or 787 service.
However, if you want to pay more to experience a higher level of comfort you can. On Delta Airlines A321-200 flights, there are three levels of service you buy tickets for, economy, comfort +, and first class.
Economy Class
Economy class is the main cabin class found on Airbus A321 flights.
It’s a pretty standard seating arrangement you will find on most competing airlines in their economy class.
Delta utilizes a six-seat row in two three-seat columns on each side of the aircraft separated by a center aisle.
The seat itself is pretty standard as well. You get a padded 18-inch wide seat with 30-31 inches of pitch.
Considering that economy class will likely be full of passengers, you can probably expect this section of the aircraft to be cramped and uncomfortable. The worst seat you can get in economy class is most likely the middle seat.
But the saving grace is that these flights on the A321 are only 2 to 4 hours long. That is not a significant amount of time to deal with discomfort and probably not a reason to pay more to experience more comfort.
Essentially, your experience in economy class is what you make of it. Some people will complain about it while others might say it’s bearable considering it’s a short to medium-haul flight.
Comfort +
If economy just isn’t for you and you need some added comfort to your flight experience, Delta’s Comfort + is for you.
The only difference between Comfort+ class and the Economy class is the number of seats in the section and the seat pitch.
In economy, there are 142 economy seats onboard the A321. In Comfort+, that number has been reduced to 29 seats. This gives the illusion of less cramped conditions. You probably will be able to get your bag and get off the plane quicker, etc.
For seat pitch, with Comfort+ you are given an extra 3 to 4 inches of seat pitch bringing your seat pitch total to 33 to 34 inches. Those added inches will help you recline back into a more comfortable position.
First Class
First-class seating should be for people that fly back and forth to their destinations on business multiple times a week.
First Class might not be worth paying for the extra cost if you’re flying to a destination on a one-time trip unless you can afford it or Delta has given you the chance to upgrade.
Delta limits seats in First Class to 20 seats. The seats are configured in a 4-seat row in two columns of two seats separated by the center aisle.
You will find the most comfortable seats in terms of pitch and seat width in this section. On the A321, first-class seats are 20.9 inches wide and offer 35 – 37 inches of seat pitch. You be more than comfortable when you fly first class.
If you want to learn more about Delta’s seating classes, you can learn more by reading our guide on Delta Airlines.
Amenities offered to help with flight comfort
Regardless of the seat you purchase on board a Delta Airlines Airbus A321, at minimum, you will get a seatback flight entertainment system with free satellite tv, wifi access, USB in-seat power, and in-seat power outlets.
A difference between the Economy class and the higher tier ticket options is the meal, snack, and beverage service.
For both First Class and Comfort+ classes, you will receive a complimentary meal (depending if the flight is longer than 900 miles) or snack service. Alcoholic beverages are also available complimentary.
In economy, you only receive non-alcoholic beverages for free. Snacks and meals are available for purchase.
Is Delta’s A231 a safe aircraft to fly on?
The Airbus A321 is widely known as a safe aircraft since its introduction. It features advanced fly-by-wire technology that helps the pilots fly the airplane.
Airbus put their aircraft through rigorous flight testing before their delivery to the airlines.
There has yet to be a major disaster with the Airbus A321 in the United States. Delta hires expert maintenance staff that performs routine checks before each flight and conducts thorough yearly inspections to assess whether the aircraft is fit for service.
Pilots also give a thorough walkthrough before each flight to detect any flight hazards that would make for a dangerous flight. These pilots are also heavily trained and certified to fly in all weather conditions and scenarios, like losing an engine.
Delta flight attendants are also well-trained to assist you during emergencies. The Airbus A321 has eight exit doors with highly illuminated exit signs to help passengers escape during an emergency.
Sources
https://www.deltamuseum.org/exhibits/delta-history/aircraft-by-type/jet/airbus-a321-2016-present
