Originally Posted by
forgot to bid
In a recent meeting they're looking at extending the life of the 320s and 319s. That program requires an enhanced cockpit that matches the 321 and the cost of it was very very reasonable.
So we were told that if we excerise the 100 neo options, likely, on the 321s then we easily could have a total A320 fleet in the 450 range between 200 neos, 130ish 321s and the 57/62 319s and 320s. I think 40 of the 320s are early 90s, the rest are very late 90s and 2000s. It was brought up when they bragged on the efficiency of reducing differing types at out stations.
Imho i think we stuck to the "we are not ordering new technology until its proven" and watched the Neos and Max's quickly rack up 6500 and 5000 orders respectively.
By the time the 220 "proves itself" in CEO speak it'll be 20 years old. It's already 10 now. Why would Airbus bet the future on that especially if the cockpit cant mix with 319, 320, 321, 330, 340, 350, 380 and they still have 1000s of orders to fill?
That's what I'm speculating, those 100 neo options will probably be A322s. The additional options on the A220 will probably be 500s. I'm talking 2030, and beyond time frame wise. The 717 and A320/319 will be around for at least another decade. However, in that time frame, the 797 isn't going to appear, so a long range airplane that sits between the A330 and 321/739 is probably going to be a good idea to get.
As to why Airbus will build the A220-500, is because it would be a simple stretch, and add more viability to that program. It wouldn't compete directly with the A320 due to the lost range by the stretch.