Delta has a pretty long track record of buying distressed airframes for a deep discount. The A220 and A330Neo are recent examples.

Why buy 100 highly in demand A320’s when Boeing can’t give away their Max fast enough for the time being. A large order might also help restore confidence in the airplane for the general public.

The reward might be 787 orders though. I don’t think the 350 is performing to Delta’s expectations.

Interesting times ahead egardless of a new order, new fleet, fleet swap, merger or acquisition.