Delta aims to complete 777 premium retrofits by 2019

Delta Air Lines debuts the first Boeing 777-200 with its new premium products today, as it begins to install the onboard products on its existing widebody fleet. The Atlanta-based carrier is configuring the 777-200 with 296 seats, including 28 lie-flat business class suites, 48 premium economy, and 220 economies. Delta succeeded in increasing the density of its 777-200s by five seats by shrinking its business class cabin from 37 seats but at the same time maintaining a passenger-preferred nine-abreast configuration in the economy cabin. American Airlines and United Airlines have both opted to increase the density of their economy cabins on the 777-200 by going to 10-abreast seating. American configures its aircraft with 273 seats and United its aircraft with 276 seats, however, both offer larger business class cabins than Delta. Delta's first 777 with the new premium products (registration N863DA) will operate between Detroit and Beijing on alternating days through July. It is scheduled to operate flight 189 today.