Delta Air Lines orders a dozen more A220 aircraft

Delta Air Lines has firmed up an order for a dozen more A220-300 aircraft, bringing the airline’s total firm order for A220s to 119 aircraft. The breakdown is 45 A220-100s and 74 A220-300s.

Throughout the years, Delta has reordered the A220 four times and is now the largest A220 customer and operator.

“Delta Air Lines was the U.S. launch customer for the A220 and this fourth reorder in just four years by a leading carrier as Delta is a most gratifying endorsement,” said Christian Scherer, Airbus chief commercial officer and head of International. “The aircraft is currently connecting Delta passengers on more than 100 routes.” The A220 was built for the 100-150 seat market.

Delta took delivery of its first Airbus A220 in October 2018, and was the first U.S. carrier to operate the aircraft. Delta currently owns a fleet of 415 Airbus aircraft, 59 A220s, 266 A320 Family aircraft, 62 A330s and 28 A350-900s.

With 246 A220s delivered to 16 airlines, the aircraft is operating from four continents.

To date, more than 70 million passengers have enjoyed the A220. The fleet is currently flying on over 825 routes and 325 destinations worldwide. As of the end of December, nearly 30 customers have ordered close to 800 A220 aircraft.

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Video: Delta Air Lines first U.S. carrier to take delivery of Airbus A220

On Friday, Airbus welcomed Delta Air Lines as the first U.S. carrier to take delivery of the Airbus A220 aircraft.  On hand for the delivery ceremony at the aircraft's assembly line in Mirabel were members of the A220 team as well as government officials and executives from Delta, Airbus, Bombardier and Investissement Quebec.

Delta's A220 will enter service in early 2019, making Delta the fourth global airline to operate the aircraft previously known as the Bombardier C Series. The C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP) welcomed Airbus as lead partner earlier this year, prompting the change of name to the Airbus A220.  Delta is the largest A220-100 customer, with a firm order for 75 aircraft.

The A220-100 brings together state-of-the-art aerodynamics, advanced materials and Pratt & Whitney's latest-generation PW1500G geared turbofan engines to offer at least 20 percent lower fuel burn per seat compared to previous generation aircraft.

With an order book of over 400 aircraft to date, the A220 has all the credentials to win the lion's share of the 100- to 150-seat aircraft market, estimated to represent at least 7,000 aircraft over the next 20 years.

As of the end of September, Delta was operating a fleet of 235 Airbus aircraft, including 182 A320 Family members, as well as 42 A330s and 11 A350 XWB, or eXtra Wide Body aircraft. The airline has more than 275 additional Airbus aircraft on order. Next year, Delta will become the first U.S. airline to operate the new Airbus A330neo.

Delta's first A220 scheduled to begin service in early 2019

Delta Air Lines' first Airbus A220-100 took off on its first flight from Mirabel airport, Québec. The aircraft was crewed by A220 program test pilots. During the three-hour flight, the crew checked the aircraft's main systems and landed back in Mirabel.

The flight took place a few days after the aircraft rolled out of the paint shop. Next, the aircraft will continue with pre-delivery testing and assembly, as elements of its interior come together at the A220 assembly line. Delta's first A220 is scheduled to begin service in early 2019.

Delta Air Lines will be the first U.S. airline to operate the A220 – at the same time becoming the fourth A220 operator, after Swiss International Air Lines, airBaltic, and Korean Air. Delta is the largest A220-100 customer, with a firm order for 75 aircraft.

The A220-100 delivers unbeatable fuel efficiency.  It brings together state-of-the-art aerodynamics, advanced materials, and Pratt & Whitney's latest-generation PW1500G geared turbofan engines to offer at least 20 percent lower fuel burn per seat compared to previous-generation aircraft.

With an order book of over 400 aircraft to date, the A220 has all the credentials to win the lion's share of the 100- to 150-seat aircraft market, estimated to represent at least 7,000 aircraft over the next 20 years.