Delta Air Lines A330-300 242 Tonnes MTOW Handover
Delta Air Lines, largest carrier in USA received first delivery of new Airbus A330-300 242t. This variant also called higher-weight variant, 242t stands for 242 tonnes of maximum takeoff weight (MTOW).
This delivery is Delta attempts to replace its ageing fleet, such as Boeing 747 series and Boeing 767 series. Delta states that new A330-300 higher-weight is 15 to 25 percent more efficient than Boeing's old fleet. The carrier will plan to receive another nine A330-300 242ts in 2017. American carrier is confident to the aircraft since A330-300 will give lower cost in flight operation.
Airbus says that higher-weight of A330-300 has many improvements in aerodynamics, additional/optional center fuel tank and 2 percent better fuel efficiency compare to original Airbus A330-300 series. Delta chooses GE as engine's partner with GE CF6-80E1 engine. The carrier to fly higher-weight A330-300 in transatlantic and transpacific routes. The new A330-300 will have three classes seat configuration, able to carry up to 293 passengers at once.