Delta Air Lines prefers to keep older aircraft operational for longer, and has become renowned for it. Although the fleet has undergone a significant revamp since the pandemic, Delta still maintains more than 60 aircraft that are over 30 years old.<\/p>\n
These veteran airliners were built before the internet became commonplace, when nobody had heard of smartphones, and when handheld GPS was only just being invented. Still, thanks to the meticulous care of Delta TechOps, they continue to fly daily, getting passengers safely and comfortably where they need to go.<\/p>\n
The very oldest plane in Delta\u2019s fleet is a Boeing 757 with tail number N649DL, at 35 years old. Configured with 72 seats in all-business class, Delta uses it for charters, including for the NBA. Of the passenger 757s, the oldest is 34.8-year-old N658DL, which was delivered new to the airline back in May 1990.<\/p>\n The oldest widebody in Delta\u2019s fleet is a Boeing 767 with tail number N171DN, which is considered to be one of the highest flight-hour 767s in existence. As of January 2025, it has clocked up more than 147,000 flight hours and 22,000 cycles.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n Let\u2019s take a look at Delta\u2019s oldest aircraft and what the future holds for these veterans.<\/p>\n As of February 2025, the Delta Air Lines fleet has a total of 988 aircraft, ranging from the small and modern Airbus A220 to the aging widebody Boeing 767. Over its 99-year history,<\/a> Delta has operated a staggering 57 different types of aircraft, acquiring many new fleet types through mergers and acquisitions.<\/p>\n Alongside acquisitions, Delta has developed an interesting business model that favors older aircraft. In the past, it has actively sought to buy or lease slightly used jets and held on to older aircraft for longer than some competitors might. That\u2019s not to say Delta isn\u2019t transitioning to new technology models, though \u2013 it has substantial orders for Boeing\u2019s 737 MAX<\/a> as well as Airbus A330neo, A350, and A321neo aircraft<\/a>, and already operates the world\u2019s largest fleet of A220s, with more on the way<\/a>.<\/p>\n According to planespotters.net, Delta has an average fleet age of 15.2 years. That\u2019s actually younger than United\u2019s 15.9-year-old fleet, but older than American\u2019s 14-year average. However, of all the US big three, Delta has more aircraft over the age of 30 than any other with 62, versus United with just over 30 and American with none. However, its investment in young aircraft like the A350, A220, and A321neo helps to bring the average age down.<\/p>\n With over 60 30-plus-year-old aircraft to look after, Delta\u2019s TechOps facility has been essential to the airline\u2019s success. By keeping the maintenance in-house, Delta can maintain its jets to an exacting standard in an affordable manner.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n \n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.aerotime.aero\/images\/2025\/02\/image-7-6.jpg\"\/ "\\"image\\"")
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How old is Delta\u2019s fleet?<\/h2>\n
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TechOps: Keeping Delta\u2019s oldest planes flying<\/h2>\n