Delta Air Line has become the first US carrier to take delivery of the Airbus A220-100, with the handover taking place at the aircraft assembly line in Mirabel, Canada.
Delta will be the largest A220-100 customer, with a firm order for 75 aircraft. Chief executive, Ed Bastian, said: “It is with great pride that we take delivery of our first, state-of-the-art A220-100. We have big plans for our A220 fleet and are confident that Delta customers and Delta people alike will be delighted with the in-flight experience provided by this thoroughly modern and efficient aircraft. We value our longstanding partnerships with Airbus and Bombardier and are grateful for the great design and manufacturing work done by the team here in Mirabel.”
The A220 will enter service early next year, making Delta the fourth airline to operate the aircraft. The C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP) welcomed Airbus as lead partner earlier this year, leading to the name change to the A220.
Guillaume Faury, president of Airbus’ commercial aircraft business, added, “When a great airline like Delta puts a new aircraft into service as a platform for their outstanding passenger service, the entire industry takes note. The A220 team is gratified by the confidence that the Delta family has placed in this excellent, Canadian-born aircraft.”
The A220-100 is powered by Pratt & Whitney’s PW1500G geared turbofan engines, with Airbus having an order book of over 400 aircraft to date. The manufacturer says the 100- to 150-seat aircraft market is estimated to be at least 7,000 aircraft over the next 20 years.
Delta will next year also become the first US airline to operate the new A330neo.
