On May 6, AirAsia placed a firm order for 150 latest-generation A220-300 aircraft. The low-cost airline will be the launch customer for the aircraft’s new cabin configuration of 160 seats. The first aircraft is expected to be delivered in 2028.
The $19 billion deal includes options for an additional 150 aircraft, taking the total commitment to 300. The order will allow AirAsia to expand its regional connectivity. This historic order is the largest Airbus has received for the A220 family and takes total orders over 1,000.
Speaking at Airbus’ A220 factory in Mirabel, Canada, Capital A CEO and Advisor to AirAsia, Tony Fernandes said: “We have built AirAsia by making bold decisions at the right moment, not the easiest moment. This order reflects our long-term discipline and the scale of our ambitions. The A220 unlocks new markets and routes and brings us closer to building the world’s first true low-cost network carrier.”
The first high-density A220
AirAsia will be the first customer to feature a high-density 160-seat configuration on the A220. Airbus added 10 extra seats by installing an extra overwing exit on each side.
AirAsia has not yet released the cabin configuration of its new A220s. AirlineRatings.com expects an all-economy layout matching the airline’s existing A320 family fleet.
The A220 is the most modern aircraft in its size category. The aircraft has the widest cabin, due to its configuration of a 2-3 seating layout and the lowest fuel consumption compared to its competitors.
The A220 can fly up to 6,700 km (3,600 nautical miles). The A220 already operates with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), with Airbus aiming to have all aircraft operating with up to 100% SAF by 2030.
Due to its range capabilities, AirAsia’s A220s will be able to fly as far as Sydney, Dubai and northern Japan. It is expected that the airline will deploy the aircraft on lower-demand routes across the Asia Pacific region, enabling new city pairs that were historically commercially unviable.
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AirAsia wants a stretched A220-500
AirAsia previously rejected the A220 when the aircraft was branded as the CSeries under its Bombardier ownership, including a high-density 160-seat layout.
Speaking at the order press conference, Tony Fernandes publicly asked Airbus CEO Lars Wagner to launch a stretched A220-500 variant with up to 185 seats. Fernandes also commented on ordering at least 150 of the aircraft.
A new A220 variant would allow AirAsia to lower its operating costs further due to the aircraft’s excellent fuel economy.
Reshaping AirAsia’s network
The A220 will enter service from 2028 across ASEAN and Asia-Pacific destinations. AirAsia plans to deploy the aircraft on lower-demand routes and secondary hub pairs that larger narrowbody A320s cannot serve profitably.
The order reshapes the group’s wider fleet plan as the A220 will free up A320 and A321 capacity for mid-haul flying. AirAsia’s A330s will focus on long-haul routes to Europe, Australia and North America by 2030.
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