This article is based on an official press release from GE Aerospace and Delta Air Lines.

Delta Air Lines Selects GE Aerospace GEnx Engines for New Boeing 787-10 Fleet

In a significant move for its future widebody operations, Delta Air Lines has selected GE Aerospace to power its incoming fleet of Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners. According to a joint announcement released on January 13, 2026, the carrier has chosen the GEnx-1B engine for an order comprising 30 firm aircraft and options for 30 additional jets.

The agreement extends beyond the initial hardware, encompassing spare engines and a comprehensive long-term services support contract. This selection marks a pivotal moment in the nearly 70-year partnership between the two companies, ensuring GE Aerospace remains a cornerstone of Delta’s international fleet strategy well into the next decade.

Agreement Details and Delivery Timeline

The newly announced deal secures propulsion for Delta’s latest widebody acquisition. The order covers 30 firm Boeing 787-10 aircraft, with deliveries scheduled to commence in 2031. Should Delta exercise its options for the additional 30 aircraft, the total scope of the agreement could cover up to 120 installed engines, exclusive of spares.

While specific financial terms were not disclosed in the press release, the inclusion of a long-term maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) agreement suggests a deep commitment to the GEnx platform. This “power-by-the-hour” style support is standard for major fleet renewals, ensuring predictable maintenance costs and high dispatch reliability.

Executive Commentary

Both companies highlighted the strategic importance of this renewal. Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines, emphasized the role of efficiency in the airline’s international expansion.

“GE Aerospace’s GEnx engines will enable us to connect our passengers to international destinations across the globe with greater efficiency and improved reliability and are foundational to our growth vision.”

, Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines

H. Lawrence Culp, Jr., Chairman and CEO of GE Aerospace, noted the historical depth of the relationship, which dates back to the Convair 880 in 1956.

“For more than 60 years, GE Aerospace has been proud to partner with Delta Air Lines, and we’re honored the GEnx now will be underwing to support their international growth plans.”

, H. Lawrence Culp, Jr., Chairman and CEO of GE Aerospace

Technical Specifications and Performance

The GEnx-1B is currently the best-selling engine for the Boeing 787 family, holding approximately two-thirds of the market share for the airframe. Delta’s selection aligns with industry trends favoring the engine’s maturity and performance metrics.

According to technical data referenced in the announcement and industry reports, the GEnx-1B offers several key advantages over previous generation powerplants:

• Fuel Efficiency: The engine delivers a 15% improvement in fuel efficiency compared to the CF6 engines currently powering Delta’s older Boeing 767 fleet.
• Reliability: The GEnx fleet has accumulated over 70 million flight hours with a dispatch reliability rate of 99.98%.
• Material Innovation: The engine utilizes carbon fiber composite fan blades and a composite fan case, which significantly reduce weight and eliminate corrosion issues associated with traditional metal components.
• Emissions: The Twin Annular Pre-Swirl (TAPS) combustor technology reduces NOx emissions to approximately 55% below current regulatory limits.

AirPro News Analysis: Strategic Fleet Diversification

This order represents a notable shift in Delta’s recent procurement strategy. Over the past decade, the Atlanta-based carrier has leaned heavily on Airbus for its widebody renewal, investing significantly in the A330neo and A350 families. The introduction of the Boeing 787-10, and specifically the choice of GE engines, reintroduces balance to the fleet.

By operating both Airbus and Boeing widebodies, Delta mitigates the risk of supply chain delays or certification issues that might affect a single manufacturer. Furthermore, the 787-10 is optimized for high-capacity, mid-range international routes (such as Transatlantic and South American corridors), complementing the ultra-long-range capabilities of the A350-1000. The decision to pair the airframe with GE engines avoids the durability challenges that have historically affected the competing Rolls-Royce Trent 1000, signaling a preference for operational stability over other factors.

Sources

Sources: PR Newswire / GE Aerospace

This article is based on an official press release from Boeing and Aviation Capital Group.

ACG Expands Portfolio with 50 New 737 MAX Jets

Aviation Capital Group LLC (ACG), a premier global full-service aircraft asset manager, has finalized a firm order for 50 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. Announced on January 13, 2026, the agreement splits the order evenly between two variants of the narrow-body family: 25 737-8s and 25 737-10s. According to the joint statement released by Boeing and ACG, this purchase increases the lessor’s total backlog for the 737 MAX program to 121 aircraft.

The deal underscores the continued demand for single-aisle aircraft in the global leasing market. ACG, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tokyo Century Corporation, indicated that the new jets are intended to support the fleet modernization requirements of its airline customers. While the official press release did not disclose the financial terms of the transaction, industry estimates based on current list prices suggest the deal could be valued between $6.4 billion and $6.6 billion USD, though large orders typically command significant discounts.

Thomas Baker, CEO and President of ACG, emphasized the strategic nature of the acquisition in the company’s announcement:

This order for additional 737 MAX aircraft enhances the strategic value of ACG’s orderbook, supports a key pillar of our growth strategy and reinforces our commitment to the latest fuel-efficient aircraft technology.

Delivery Timeline and Fleet Strategy

According to data surrounding the deal, deliveries for these 50 aircraft are scheduled to take place between 2026 and 2033. This timeline secures critical delivery slots for ACG during a period where production constraints at major manufacturers have made near-term inventory scarce. By locking in these positions, ACG aims to provide its diverse customer base, which spans approximately 90 airlines in 50 countries, with access to modern, fuel-efficient tonnage.

The inclusion of the 737-8 and the 737-10 allows ACG to offer versatility to its lessees. The 737-8 remains the core of the MAX family, known for its range and efficiency, while the 737-10 offers the highest seat capacity in the single-aisle lineup, providing the lowest cost-per-seat economics for operators.

Brad McMullen, Boeing Senior Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing, commented on the lessor’s confidence in the largest MAX variant:

ACG’s expanded order for the 737-10 reflects strong confidence in the airplane and its appeal to the lessor’s customers worldwide.

AirPro News Analysis: The 737-10 Gamble

While the order for the standard 737-8 is a routine expansion of a proven asset class, the commitment to 25 units of the 737-10 represents a calculated strategic move by ACG. As of January 2026, the 737-10 has not yet received final FAA certification. However, recent regulatory progress, specifically the granting of Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) Phase 2 earlier this month, suggests that the aircraft is nearing the finish line of its rigorous approval process.

By securing these aircraft now, ACG is effectively betting that the certification hurdles will be cleared in time for the scheduled delivery window. If the 737-10 enters service as projected in late 2026 or early 2027, ACG will hold a valuable position as the lessor with the largest order book for the high-capacity variant. This positions them to supply low-cost carriers who are eager for the density and economic efficiency the -10 promises, particularly in a market where supply chain issues force airlines to lease rather than buy.

Sustainability and Market Context

The press release highlights the environmental benefits of the transaction, noting that the 737 MAX family reduces fuel use and carbon emissions by 20% compared to the aircraft they replace. For lessors like ACG, maintaining a young, fuel-efficient portfolio is essential not only for operating economics but also for meeting the increasingly stringent decarbonization targets of global airlines.

This order arrives amidst a broader resurgence in the aircraft leasing sector. With airlines facing capital constraints and manufacturers facing backlog delays extending into the 2030s, lessors have become pivotal in the supply chain. ACG’s decision to expand its order book to 121 MAX jets signals a long-term belief in the resilience of the narrow-body market and the eventual stabilization of Boeing’s production rates.

Sources:

• PR Newswire: Aviation Capital Group Orders 50 Boeing 737 MAX Jets

This article is based on an official press release from AerCap.

AerCap and Virgin Atlantic Finalize Sale-Leaseback for Six A330neos

AerCap Holdings N.V., the global leader in aviation leasing, announced today that it has signed purchase and leaseback agreements with Virgin Atlantic for six new Airbus A330-900 (A330neo) aircraft. The transaction serves as a strategic financing mechanism for aircraft already within Virgin Atlantic’s order book, ensuring the carrier maintains its fleet modernization trajectory while preserving capital.

According to the announcement, deliveries for these aircraft are scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2026 and conclude by the fourth quarter of 2027. This agreement reinforces the long-standing partnership between the Dublin-based lessor and the UK carrier as the aviation industry continues to navigate a high-demand environment for widebody assets.

Strategic Financing and Fleet Modernization

The deal is structured as a purchase and leaseback transaction. In this arrangement, Virgin Atlantic transfers the purchase rights of the aircraft to AerCap, which purchases the jets from Airbus and immediately leases them back to the airline. This model allows Virgin Atlantic to secure immediate liquidity and remove asset depreciation risks from its balance sheet, a common strategy for airlines seeking capital efficiency.

Virgin Atlantic has stated that this agreement supports its goal of operating one of the youngest and cleanest fleets in the sky. By 2028, the airline projects its average fleet age will be just 6.4 years. The A330neo is central to this strategy, offering approximately 13% better fuel efficiency compared to the A330-300 aircraft they are replacing.

Aircraft Configuration and Passenger Experience

The six Airbus A330-900s involved in this transaction are designed with a premium-heavy configuration to maximize yield on transatlantic routes. According to details released regarding the fleet, the aircraft feature a total capacity of 262 seats. This includes:

• Upper Class: 32 seats, including two exclusive “Retreat Suites” with 6ft 7in beds.
• Premium: 46 seats with enhanced service and legroom.
• Economy: 184 seats.

Executive Commentary

Both companies highlighted the mutual benefits of the transaction, emphasizing the value of the A330neo in the current market.

Peter Anderson, the Chief Commercial Officer of AerCap, noted the high demand for this specific widebody type:

“We are delighted to deepen our long-standing partnership with Virgin Atlantic… The A330neo is one of the most sought-after aircraft globally, combining advanced technology with exceptional efficiency.”

Ansar Hussain, Chief Financial Officer at Virgin Atlantic, emphasized the investment in fleet efficiency:

“We have invested billions to fly the youngest, most efficient fleet across the Atlantic… We’re grateful for our enduring partnership with AerCap, which allows us to offer our customers the very best of the iconic Virgin Atlantic experience.”

AirPro News Analysis

This transaction highlights a continuing trend in 2026 where major carriers utilize sale-leaseback agreements to manage balance sheets amidst stabilizing but elevated interest rates. With global manufacturing delays affecting both Airbus and Boeing, securing delivery slots for 2026 and 2027 has become increasingly valuable.

By locking in these six aircraft with AerCap, Virgin Atlantic mitigates the capital intensity of ownership while ensuring it receives the assets needed to retire older, less efficient models. For AerCap, the deal adds highly liquid, new-technology assets to its portfolio at a time when widebody aircraft values are robust. Industry estimates suggest the market value for new A330-900s in this period hovers around $107 million per unit, underscoring the significant scale of this financing package.

Sources

• AerCap Press Release