Delta Air Lines will add up to 20 Embraer 190 and 20 new Boeing 737-900ER jets acquired after being offered ‘more compelling economics’ than a similar order it canceled earlier this year.
An original, larger order that included 40 new Boeing 737s was used as a bargaining chip in labor negotiations with pilots.
It canceled the order when Air Line Pilots Association members voted against a Delta contract proposal.
"The opportunity was still on the table, and we took advantage of it," said Delta spokesman Michael Thomas.
The 98-seater E-190 aircraft will be second hand models while the Boeing jets are new off the production line.
"This aircraft order is another example of Delta’s unique fleet strategy to deploy a mix of new and used aircraft, maintain low capital costs, and leverage significant capacity flexibility to produce superior returns for our shareholders," said Greg May, Delta’s senior vice president – supply chain management.
The Embraer jets are expected to enter service in 2017.
