Delta Air Lines expands use of split scimitar winglets across Boeing fleet

Aviation Partners’ senior director of sales and marketing, Craig McCallum, commented on Delta’s commitment: “The recent challenges for the industry have forced many airlines to focus on efforts other than emissions reduction and operational efficiency. Delta’s recent agreements to purchase additional APB winglet products is a clear indication of Delta Air Lines’ unwavering dedication to building a more sustainable future for air travel."

Patrick LaMoria, chief commercial officer at Aviation Partners Boeing (APB), added: "We are inspired by Delta’s ambitious sustainability goals and extremely grateful for their continued endorsement of APB products.”

While Delta's new Boeing 737 MAX 10s will feature a different type of winglet called "split-tip," these are not identical to the split scimitar design used on earlier models. The split-tip winglet was developed specifically for the MAX series.

Deliveries of Delta's ordered Boeing 737 MAX aircraft have faced delays due to increased scrutiny from regulators following safety incidents involving other models in the MAX series. Delta CEO Ed Bastian stated: "We were already anticipating if it came in ‘25, it'd be late in the year. My guess is it will be another year or two beyond that." He also mentioned that there are "several issues that need to be addressed" regarding certification and delivery timelines.

In addition to exterior upgrades, Delta is updating interiors on select older Boeing 737-800s. These enhancements include new first class seats introduced initially on A321neo aircraft in 2022, offering improved comfort and privacy features for passengers. Mauricio Parise, Vice President of Brand Experience at Delta Air Lines said: “Enhancing our aircraft interiors with select retrofits will give customers more premium options to choose from.”

Other improvements include refreshed seating throughout Comfort+ and Main Cabin sections as well as upgraded seatback screens and touchless lavatories. According to company estimates, adding split-scimitar winglets could save nearly 3.3 million gallons of fuel annually.

Delta’s ongoing investments reflect both environmental priorities—such as reducing emissions—and efforts to enhance passenger experience through cabin modernization.