Delta and the A220

The once moribund Bombardier C series is really flourishing as the Airbus A220.

Conceived as a regional replacement for the aging BAe 146 and Fokker 100, and an upgrade for the successful Dash 8 line, the CS100 first flew nearly ten years ago in September 2013.  The programme was beset by poor marketing and financial woes and was finally rescued by Airbus for a nominal sum in July 2018, although it needed, and still requires, considerable investment.

Two models are available, the 100 series offering up to 120 passengers, and the 300 with a maximum capacity of 150.

Since its first delivery, in October 2018, Delta has reordered the A220 five times and is today the largest A220 customer and operator in the world. Its latest commitment, for 12 additional A220-300 aircraft, brings airline’s total firm order to 131 aircraft – 45 A220-100s and 86 A220-300s.

With over 270 A220s delivered to 16 airlines operating on four continents it is a success. To date, more than 90 million passengers have flown on the A220. The fleet is currently flying on over 1,100 routes and over 375 destinations worldwide. As of the end of June 2023, around 30 customers have ordered more than 800 A220 aircraft – confirming its leading position in the small single-aisle market.

Mirabel, Montreal, is home to the main A220 final assembly line. A second has been established in Mobile, Alabama, to serve the US market.

The A220-100 is certified for London City Airport (LCY) where it is seen in Swiss International Airline colours.  

Last year at a press briefing in London, Ed Bastien, CEO, Delta Airlines, was asked if LCY was a New York possibly for an airline that has high visibility in the London market, or perhaps subsidiary Virgin Atlantic. He ruled it out at present.   

www.delta.com

www.airbus.com/en/products-services/commercial-aircraft/passenger-aircraft/a220-family

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