Summary The oldest active aircraft in Delta Air Lines' fleet is a Boeing 757-200, over 35 years old. A Boeing 767-300ER is the oldest active aircraft in United Airlines' fleet, over 33 years old. The oldest active aircraft in American Airlines' fleet is an Airbus A320-200, over 26 years old.
Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines are often referred to collectively as the 'Big Three' in US aviation. Together, their fleets total a staggering almost 3,000 aircraft, making them the three largest airlines in the world by several measurements, including fleet size, revenue, and brand value. In recent years, all three airlines have embarked on fleet renewal plans that will see some of the most modern aircraft in the world join their fleets, such as the A321XLR and A350 from Airbus and the 737 MAX and 777X from Boeing.
However, a substantial number of aircraft within their fleets are much older and approaching retirement. Supported by the latest data from ch-aviation , which are the oldest active aircraft in the fleets of Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines? Delta Air Lines Boeing 757-200 (N649DL) The oldest active aircraft in Delta Air Lines ' fleet is a Boeing 757-200, registered as N649DL. The aircraft was delivered to the carrier new in May 1989, making it more than 35 years old.
Today, it is one of 109 757-200s that make up Delta Air Lines' fleet, with an average age of almost 28 years old. The airline is expected to retire the aging aircraft within the next few years, as vast numbers of Airbus A321neos and Boeing 737 MAX 10s are delivered, serving as ideal replacements for the 757s. While the majority of Delta Air Lines' 757-200s are able to carry 168-199 passengers, N649DL has a special VIP configuration, featuring 72 first and business class seats.
In total, N649DL has completed over 40,000 flights as of 2024, accumulating more than 92,000 flight hours, giving an average sector length of just over two hours. Data from Flightradar24 shows that N649DL has recently flown short domestic sectors for Delta Air Lines, such as: Minneapolis (MSP) to Washington (IAD) Atlanta (ATL) to Kansas City (MKC). For decades the 757-200 has proven to be an extremely reliable aircraft.
But where is it most often to be found? Delta Air Lines is also one of the last few remaining operators of the Boeing 757-300, a stretched version of the 757-200 that the carrier has configured to carry up to 235 passengers. United Airlines Boeing 767-300ER (N641UA) United Airlines ' oldest active aircraft is registered as N641UA. The Boeing 767-300ER was delivered new to the carrier in April 1991, making it more than 33 years old.
As of 2024, N641UA has completed over 19,000 flights, amassing more than 125,000 flight hours in the process, with an average sector length of around six hours. Data from Flightradar24 shows that United Airlines has recently deployed N641UA on international services worldwide, including: Houston (IAH) to Lima (LIM) Washington (IAD) to Munich (MUC) Washington (IAD) to Barcelona (BCN). N641UA is one of 37 Boeing 767-300ERs in United Airlines' fleet.
The sub-fleet has an average age of almost 29 years old, and is expected to be retired by 2030, to be replaced by the 150 787s that the carrier has on order. N641UA can carry a total of 203 passengers in a three-class configuration - 149 in economy class, 24 in premium economy, and 30 in business class. Have you been on any of them? American Airlines Airbus A320-200 (N649AW) The oldest active aircraft in American Airlines ' fleet is an Airbus A320-200, registered as N649AW.
The aircraft became part of American Airlines' fleet in October 2015 as part of the carrier's acquisition of US Airways. However, the aircraft was originally delivered new to America West Airways in April 1998, before moving across to US Airways in November 2006. This makes the aircraft more than 26 years old today.
American has a long history. Like all of American Airlines' Airbus A320s, N649AW is equipped to carry up to 150 passengers in a two-class configuration - 138 in economy class and 12 in business class. According to data from Flightradar24 , the aircraft has recently been operating short domestic sectors, such as: Dallas (DFW) to San Antonio (SAT) Phoenix (PHX) to Reno (RNO) Dallas (DFW) to New Orleans (MSY).
In total, N649AW has completed over 34,000 flights, totaling almost 86,000 flight hours as of 2024. This aircraft is one of 48 Airbus A320s that make up American Airlines' fleet, with an average age of over 23 years old. As the older aircraft are retired, they are expected to be replaced by incoming Airbus A321neos and Boeing 737 MAXs.
In recent years, American Airlines has retired many of its older aircraft, including the Boeing 757, 767, and Airbus A330, which were all retired during the pandemic. Widebody replacements will come in the form of 30 further Boeing 787-9s which are on currently on order and will join the existing 37 787-8s and 22 787-9s in the carrier's fleet. The retirements consisted of 95 aircraft in total across aircraft manufactured by Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, and Bombardier.
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