Delta has placed an order for 15 Airbus A321 aircraft, which will be a new type to the airline. (Edit: this is a top-up from their previous order for A321s).

The aircraft are the current engine option (ceo) model, and are scheduled for delivery from 2018. They will be used to offset aircraft retirements at the time (likely McDonnell Douglas MD-88 and Boeing 757 aircraft).

Delta currently operates a large fleet of Airbus aircraft, including 126 A320 Family aircraft and 32 A330s. The order announced today brings Delta’s backlog to 45 single-aisle Airbus A321 and 10 widebody Airbus A330 aircraft.

Many of Delta’s A321s will be delivered from Airbus’ brand-new A320 Family assembly line, currently under construction in Mobile, Alabama.