Delta Air Lines plans to add 12 more Airbus A220-300 jets to its fleet, extending its portfolio of the narrow-body series to 131 aircraft, 45 A220-100s and 86 A220-300. At list prices, the additional aircraft could be worth almost $1.1 billion, though neither Airbus nor Delta has commented on the value of the new order.
The larger A220-300 seats 120 to 160 passengers and has a range of 3,600 nmi (4,140 miles / 6,667 km.
Airbus chief commercial officer Christian Scherer stated: “The A220 provides Delta the flexibility to right-size its operations, gaining in efficiency and offering superior single-aisle comfort. In service with Delta, the A220 has proven to be a game changer in its size category in highly competitive North America markets."
It is Delta’s second A220 order announced this year and its fifth overall for twin-engine, medium-range aircraft series, developed by Bombardier Inc. and acquired by Airbus in 2020. Delta was the first A220 operator in North America and it is the largest customer and operator of those aircraft in the world.
Airbus assembles the A220 aircraft at its production centers in Quebec and in Mobile, Ala.
A220 series jets are powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1500G geared turbofan engines, which promise “at least 20% lower fuel-burn per seat compared to previous generation aircraft,” according to Airbus. The OEM boasts that the A220 series will gain a dominant share of the 100- to 150-seat aircraft market over the next 20 years.
“The A220-300 offers efficient performance and flexibility,” stated Delta vice president Kristen Bojko. “The continuing expansion of Delta’s A220 family is an integral investment in the future of sustainable aviation.”
