Not sure if this has already been covered, but why wouldn’t Spirit want to order the recently announced A220-300 LR (long range version) capable of 4,000+ mile range? With a very low CASM and this type of range (the ability to fly either short flights or very long flights efficiently), think of the possibilities for new route growth:

- FLL or MCO to almost anywhere in South America.
- DFW, LAS and anywhere on the West Coast to Hawaii

Looks like Moxy (David Neeleman’s new startup) plans to order 20 A220-300 LRs out of 60 total A220-300s. So, not all A220-300s need to be the LR version and they can still fly 3,400 miles (easy for transcon flights). Here’s the information I found online about the A220-300 LR version:

https://www.airliners.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1431221 (copy and paste this link)

So, with the VERY low CASM (much better than an A319/320) and the range flexibility opening many new potential route pairings (especially in South America), why wouldn’t Spirit seriously consider the A220-300 and the A220-300 LR to replace older A319s and A320s?

No doubt JB is also watching this new LR version closely with their 70 A220-300 orders - and, based on Neeleman’s recent interviews, Moxy will probably push the envelope and try highly targeted long haul flights with it in addition to a mix of short and medium haul point-to-point flights with the A220-300 around the US. Neeleman has hinted that South America (to connect with his Brazilian airline Azul), Europe and Hawaii are possible A220-300 LR route connections from the US.

So, with the A319 NEO going nowhere, seems like the A220-300 (including the new LR version) would be an obvious replacement choice for the A319s and older A320s - right?