Delta Air Lines modernizes premium travel as it retires aging Boeing 757s

“Delta One enables customers to pass the time in the sky quickly and comfortably. With each seat offering the ability to stretch out and enjoy all that the Delta Studio entertainment system has to offer. Those on international flights can enjoy a 180-degree flat bed, oversized duvet, sleeping pillow, and mattress pad,” according to information provided by SeatGuru.

The 75S configuration offers 16 lie-flat seats in Delta One class, alongside Comfort+ and Economy seating options. These seats have a pitch of 76 inches and a width of over 22 inches—significantly more space than other cabin classes.

Data from ch-aviation shows that as of August 2025, eleven Boeing 757-200s with the 75S configuration remain active at Delta. These aircraft are between 25 and nearly 29 years old and are powered by Pratt & Whitney PW2000 engines assembled at Boeing’s Renton Factory in Washington state.

The retirement date for these aircraft is set for December 2027. In their place will be Airbus A321neo jets; Delta already operates 78 A321neos with another 77 on order. Of these future deliveries, some will include Delta One seating similar to what is found on retiring Boeing models.

Flight tracking data shows that these aircraft serve various transcontinental U.S. routes such as Los Angeles-Boston or New York-San Francisco, while others fly internationally between Minneapolis-St Paul or Detroit and Reykjavík.

In addition to commercial flights, Delta operates eleven Boeing 757s configured exclusively for VIP charters—mainly transporting professional sports teams like those from the NBA or NHL. Although technically owned by organizations such as the NBA, these planes are operated under contract by Delta staff.

“The VIP Boeing 757s are configured with 32 business class seats and 40 first class seats, seating a total of 72 passengers,” according to details provided about charter operations.

As part of its fleet modernization plan, new Airbus A321neo jets designated for VIP use will be completed by Comlux Completions before entering service under Delta’s operating certificate.

Currently operating nearly one thousand aircraft—with orders placed for over two hundred more—Delta continues expanding both its network reach and fleet diversity. Its investments extend beyond U.S borders; shareholdings include stakes in Aeroméxico (20%), Virgin Atlantic (49%), LATAM Airlines (10%), WestJet (15%), among others.

Once retirements are complete later this decade—including those affecting remaining widebody Boeings—the A321neo will become the only narrow-body type at Delta featuring first-class (Delta One) seating outside widebody models.