Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) on Friday (September 27) quietly took delivery of its first new Boeing 737-900 ER. The aircraft, the pictured 737-932 ER N801DZ (msn 31912) (fleet number 3801) with Blended Winglets, arrived at the Atlanta base yesterday morning (September 28).

On August 25, 2011, Delta announced it had ordered 100 Boeing 737-900 ER aircraft for delivery between 2013 and 2018 as it retires older mainline jets and upgrades its fleet.

According to Delta, “the order will enable Delta to add 100 fuel-efficient, state-of-the-art 180-seat aircraft to its fleet, replacing on a capacity-neutral basis older technology aircraft that will be retired from the fleet.  The new aircraft will improve the company’s profitability while providing customers with an industry-leading on-board experience.  With a range of 3,200 nautical miles, the Boeing 737-900ER can operate on any domestic route offered by Delta.”

As previously reported, Delta will take delivery of 12 737-900 ER aircraft in 2013, 19 aircraft per year in 2014 through 2017, and the remaining 12 aircraft in 2018. Each aircraft has committed long-term financing.

As a result of maintenance efficiencies and a 15 to 20 percent improvement in fuel consumption per seat, the Boeing 737-900 ER will have lower unit costs than the older technology Boeing 757 and 767 and Airbus A320 aircraft that it will replace.  The aircraft will be equipped with CFM56-7B engines produced by CFM International, a joint venture of General Electric Company of the U.S. and Snecma of France.

The 737-900 ER will be Delta’s first aircraft to feature Boeing’s new “Sky Interior,” which offers expanded carry-on baggage space, a roomier, more airy cabin and an LED lighting system that provides different color schemes, such as a soft blue sky and a relaxing pallet of sunset colors.

Update: On Monday, September 30, 2013 Boeing issued this statement:

Boeing and Delta Air Lines celebrated the delivery of the carrier’s first Next-Generation 737-900 ER (Extended Range). The delivery is part of Delta’s 100-airplane order placed in 2011 to renew its single-aisle fleet with more fuel-efficient airplanes.

The Boeing 737-900 ER is the newest member of the Next-Generation 737 airplane family. It has the highest capacity and lowest seat-mile cost of Boeing’s single-aisle family. The 737-900 ER will fit seamlessly into Delta’s existing fleet of 737-700 and 737-800 airplanes, allowing Delta to efficiently match capacity to market demand with industry leading economics.

Delta’s new 737-900E R seats 180 passengers and features the new Boeing Sky Interior. This interior is the latest in a series of enhancements for both airlines and passengers. It introduces new LED lighting and curved architecture that welcomes passengers onboard and creates a greater sense of spaciousness and comfort in the cabin. The interior also features modern, sculpted sidewalls and overhead bins that disappear into the ceiling, yet carry more bags.

Top Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-932 ER N801DZ (msn 31912) lands at Boeing Field (King County) in Seattle after a test flight.

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Delta Air Lines: 

Bottom Copyright Photo: Rick Schlamp/AirlinersGallery.com. Another view of N801DZ at Boeing Field.