Airbus Seeks Pre-Orders to Launch A220-500 in 2026
Airbus is working to secure enough pre-orders for a stretched version of its A220 jet, tentatively branded the A220-500, to justify launching the programme later this year. According to industry sources cited by Reuters, the aircraft manufacturer wants firm interest from a small group of major airlines before committing to development of the larger variant, which would mark the next evolution of the A220 family.
A formal programme launch could come as early as the Farnborough Airshow in July, subject to approval from Airbus’s board and sufficient customer commitments. Executives speaking privately to financiers at the Airline Economics conference in Dublin described 2026 as a pivotal year for the A220, with conditional sales campaigns expected to begin in the coming weeks.
Sources indicated that Airbus is seeking commitments from two or three high-profile operators to underpin the business case. Airlines already flying the A220, including Delta Air Lines, Air Canada and Air France, are viewed as natural early targets, given their familiarity with the type and existing fleet infrastructure.
The proposed A220-500 would feature a longer fuselage but retain the current wing and engine configuration. By adding seats without major structural changes, Airbus aims to lower unit costs per seat while accepting a modest reduction in range. The stretched variant is expected to seat up to around 180 passengers, compared with roughly 110 to 160 seats on today’s A220-100 and A220-300 models.
Airbus sees the A220-500 as a way to strengthen the programme’s commercial performance. Higher-capacity aircraft would allow the manufacturer to pursue larger orders, improve production efficiency and revisit supplier contracts, all with the goal of enhancing long-term profitability for the A220 line. The aircraft would also give airlines a new option at the upper end of the small narrowbody market, sitting below the A320neo family.
An Airbus Canada spokesperson declined to comment on specific customer discussions but reiterated the company’s long-held view that a stretched A220 would be well suited to market demand. She said Airbus remains focused on ramping up production and supporting operators of the A220-100 and A220-300, while parallel work continues to ensure the company is ready to make a decision on a stretch.
The A220, originally developed by Bombardier and later acquired by Airbus, has steadily gained traction with airlines seeking efficiency on short- and medium-haul routes. A successful launch of the A220-500 would further extend the platform’s reach and reinforce Airbus’s position in the lower end of the single-aisle market.
Related News: https://airguide.info/?s=airbus+A220, Airbus Moves Toward Pre-Sales of Larger A220-500 Jet
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com