Originally Posted by
David Puddy
Would love to see a big Delta order when Airbus officially announces the extended A220 - they are calling it the “A221” like the A321. A big aspect will be getting a 2nd engine option beyond P&W like what you see in A320 models. This stretched version with 170 seats has been rumored for awhile but the current P&W and supply-chain issues (leading to slow delivery rates in Mobile) haven’t helped the situation. There have also been A319Neo order cannibalization concerns - but very few have been ordered given the poor economics. Evidently Delta, JB, Air Canada and Air France have expressed interest in a stretched A220 version. Here are two recent articles about it:
Two articles about name change and potential engine option change:
https://www.airlinerwatch.com/2023/07/airbuss-boss-names-extended-a220.html?m=1
https://www.airlinerwatch.com/2023/06/airbus-ceo-hints-at-additional-engine.html?m=1
From the article above it sounds like they are looking at revamping the wing too - so it could be a few years out… Would love to see a big order replacing older A319/A320s (older NW birds) and maybe some of the older 738s. And is it too much to ask for a Delta “A221” base eventually in Atlanta?
you just won’t give up your A220 fetish. That article is a little light on details. No way Airbus funds a program like that until the fix the all the problems with the current models. Engine issues, dispatch reliability, manufacturing issues. Until they start making money selling these aircraft they are not going to spend the money on certification for a new one. For those that have been paying attention Airbus is unlikely to make amends with suppliers to reduce costs after they were burned by the Emerites fake order for A380s that was canceled 10 years ago. Suppliers tend not to forget **** like that.
the only reason Delta doesn’t have most of their A220s parked waiting for parts like other airlines is they have their own engine shop able to keep them flying with the engine issues. How long can they keep that up?