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Delta Air Lines is moving forward with a plan to enhance the efficiency and performance of its fleet by installing Split Scimitar Winglets on its Boeing 737-800 and 737-900ER aircraft. The airline is working in partnership with Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) to implement this upgrade, which builds on the already widespread use of APB's Blended Winglets on several aircraft types.
Delta's fleet, which is among the largest globally, already features APB winglet products on Boeing 737-800, 737-900ER, 757-200, 757-300, and 767-300ER aircraft. The Blended Winglets, introduced in the early 2000s, are a common feature on modern jets and help reduce drag by minimizing wingtip vortices. This design has led to improved fuel efficiency and additional aircraft range.
Split Scimitar Winglets differ from the Blended design by including both upward and downward fins. This dual-blade approach weakens the vortex at the wingtip, resulting in further reductions in drag and improved fuel efficiency. According to the manufacturer, these enhancements can reduce fuel burn by 1.6% to 2.2% per aircraft, which translates to lower carbon emissions and operational savings for airlines.
