Delta Air Lines has confirmed its “new” Airbus A321neos with enlarged first class cabins will be making their debut this summer. The aircraft will offer passengers a whopping 44 Delta First seats, which is more than double the usual 20 seats in the front cabin.

The unusual layout is a creative solution while Delta awaits certification for its Safran VUE lie-flat suites. This is only temporary and will be available on just seven aircraft (designated 3NF), which will eventually be re-fitted with their intended transcontinental configuration pending regulatory progress.

Where Delta’s 44-Seat First Class A321neos Are Flying

Credit: GC Map

According to a recent update from Delta, its seven grounded A321neos — now fitted with an enlarged 44-seat first class cabin featuring 11 rows of recliner seats — will start operating flights as early as May. While the aircraft are formally scheduled to operate on four routes starting June 7, 2026, the carrier says its customers “may see them sooner as they begin entering into service in May.” The routes in question are four transcontinental services out of Delta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) hub to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Diego International Airport (SAN), San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

Bookings for these flights will open from February 21, and it isn’t known how long these aircraft will fly with their temporary configurations. According to the airline, while the seats onboard will be the same as those found on its regular Airbus A321neo fleet, it plans to offer “distinct service procedures” on these flights, so the onboard experience will be an enhancement over a typical A321neo-operated first class flight. Mauricio Parise, vice president of Customer Experience Design at Delta, commented,

“Customers on coast-to-coast routes want more premium seat options and these aircraft, which will also have 54 Delta Comfort seats, will provide our customers with ample choice.”

What’s The Deal With Delta’s A321neos?

Credit: Delta Air Lines

Simple Flying has covered the unusual situation going on with Delta’s A321neo sub-fleet, which has been beset with regulatory delays. The airline wants to operate a sub-fleet of 21 A321neos for its premium transcon routes, featuring 16 lie-flat suites in Delta One, along with 12 Premium Select, 54 Comfort+ and 66 Main Cabin seats, for a total of 148 seats.

Delta will use these premium-heavy narrowbodies to replace its Boeing 757-200s, some of which feature its lie-flat Delta One suites. However, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has held up progress on certifying these suites for the A321neo, citing concerns over emergency evacuation safety and the safety of the suites during accidents.

Rather than letting these aircraft gather dust in a hangar while awaiting regulatory approval, Delta decided to equip them with seats that are already certified. The airline had initially hoped to have the aircraft in service by late 2024, but at least they will now be top revenue earners on four of Delta’s most lucrative domestic routes.

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The Airbus A321neo’s Unique Cabin Design That Has Allowed Airlines To Generate More Revenue

Airbus has made use of all available space onboard its A321neo aircraft.

Seat Safety Hurdles

Credit: Delta Air Lines

Delta is not alone in facing issues with seat certification on built aircraft. The most prominent example in recent years is German carrier Lufthansa, which has faced a series of issues with its Allegris seats on new Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 widebodies, forcing it to fly with empty or restricted cabins.

For example, its new Boeing 787-9s are flying with just four out of 28 business class seats available, with the remaining 24 seats all blocked off. Another example is American Airlines, which has an issue with its Flagship Suite on the A321XLR — featuring sliding privacy doors, the airline can only fly the aircraft if the doors remain locked in an open position.

The outlook for Delta’s lie-flat suites on the A321neo remains unclear. However, given its decision to pull the planes out of storage, it would suggest there is still a long way to go before these aircraft fly with their intended configuration.