Summary
- Delta Air Lines is preparing a special A350-900 aircraft for the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
- The LA28 emblem on the aircraft represents themes of creativity, diversity, self-expression, and inclusion.
- The new aircraft will likely be delivered in the next few months.
With the 2024 Summer Olympics set to take center stage in Paris in just a few months, Delta Air Lines is already preparing for the following Games of the Olympiad, which will take place in the US in 2028. As the games are set to return to the city of Los Angeles for the first time since 1984, the airline will debut a new aircraft donning a special livery to signify the occasion.
Delta is no stranger to the Olympic Games. The Atlanta-based carrier is the official airline of Team USA and will be active this year as athletes will soon travel to France for the games in July.
Livery details
Photos of a new Airbus A350-900 surfaced on social media on Saturday. The aircraft, which has yet to have its engines installed, is reportedly at Toulouse–Blagnac Airport (TLS), where Airbus manufactured the plane.
The vibrant livery is reminiscent of Delta’s standard paint scheme, featuring a white fuselage forward of the wings, along with the airline’s logo above the windows. Underneath the windows is the Delta x LA28 emblem in bold black letters.
In a statement, Delta explained the significance of the emblem.
“The LA28 emblem honors creativity, diversity, self-expression and inclusion. The ever-changing “A” is a reminder of the infinite stories of individuality and possibilities that comprise the city of LA and the LA28 Games.”
Toward the middle of the fuselage, black palm trees are painted on each side – a natural element iconic to Southern California. The trees are backed by a sunset ombré color of red, orange, and yellow that runs from the bottom of the forward fuselage to the top of the aircraft’s mid-section. The color then transitions into the night sky – a dark purple and blue aft section is dashed with white specs representing stars. Over the windows in the mid-aft fuselage are bold white letters that read “LA28,” albeit the “A” is in the form of Delta’s red widget.
When will it be delivered?
The temporary registration number appears to be F-WZNU; however, its tail number reads 3522. According to Planespotters.net, the aircraft will be registered as N522DZ when delivered. The plane’s status is listed as “on order,” meaning Delta expects delivery soon, but since the engines have yet to be mounted, it is likely that delivery will not be for a few more months.
Delta’s Airbus A350-900 Fleet: A Complete Guide
Delta Air Lines has 28 examples of the Airbus A350-900 in is fleet, plus six on order.
Delta could aim to debut the aircraft when the Summer 2024 Olympics officially begin on July 26th. The airline could also use the widebody to advertise its presence at the games, and its role as the official airline of Team USA.
Another Olympics plane
The incoming A350 will not be Delta’s first Olympics-themed aircraft, however. The carrier operates a special A330-900neo painted in a Team USA livery. The aircraft, registered as N411DX, debuted in 2022. It represents Delta’s eight-year partnership with Team USA.
“Our A330-900 aircraft is emblematic of our support of Team USA,” the airline explained. “The jet features a custom-designed livery that embodies the spirit of resiliency and perseverance and an inspiration of upward momentum.”
Photo: Delta Air Lines
Although N411DX is currently deployed throughout Delta’s route network, it will likely be used to transport Team USA athletes during the Olympics. Simple Flying contacted the airline for further details regarding the arrival of the new A350, but a representative could not be immediately reached.
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