Airbus to Boost A220-300 Capacity with Airspace Cabin While A220-500 Remains on Hold

Airbus is preparing a major refresh of its popular A220 family that will add seats and upgrade the cabin experience—without launching the long-rumored A220-500 stretch variant. Starting in 2026, the manufacturer will roll out its Airspace interior to the A220, introducing larger overhead lockers, advanced LED lighting, and other comfort upgrades. In 2027, a higher-capacity A220-300 with up to 160 seats will become available, offering operators lower unit costs and better economics on high-demand routes without moving up to a larger aircraft type.

The 160-seat A220-300 represents an incremental but strategic step. By squeezing about ten more seats into the existing airframe, Airbus allows airlines to generate additional revenue and improve cost per available seat mile (CASM) without the risk and expense of adding a new aircraft family to their fleets. For carriers operating at capacity-constrained airports, this option provides a low-risk way to grow without sacrificing route flexibility.

However, the much-discussed A220-500 variant remains unannounced. Airbus executives have repeatedly signaled that the company is focused on improving the profitability and production rates of the existing A220 lineup rather than rushing into a stretch. Analysts say a larger model could cannibalize A320neo sales, which may also explain Airbus’s cautious approach. For now, the manufacturer is positioning the 160-seat A220-300 as the sweet spot for airlines needing more capacity on thinner routes.

To understand the significance of these upgrades, it helps to trace the A220’s origins. The aircraft began life as the Bombardier CSeries, launched on July 13, 2008, to bridge the gap between regional jets and larger single-aisle aircraft. The smaller CS100 first flew on September 16, 2013, and was certified by Transport Canada on December 18, 2015 before entering service with SWISS on July 15, 2016. The larger CS300 followed, flying on February 27, 2015, and entering service with launch customer airBaltic in December 2016.

After Airbus took a majority stake in the program in July 2018, the jets were quickly rebranded as the Airbus A220 and reorganized under Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (ACLP) in June 2019. Airbus expanded production beyond Mirabel, Quebec, opening a second final assembly line in Mobile, Alabama, in August 2019 to avoid U.S. import duties. The manufacturer’s ownership stake increased to 75% in February 2020 as Bombardier exited the program, making the A220 the only Airbus commercial program managed entirely outside Europe.

Today, the 35 m (115 ft) A220-100 seats around 108–133 passengers, while the longer A220-300 accommodates 130–160 passengers depending on configuration. Airbus also launched the ACJ TwoTwenty business-jet variant in late 2020. As of August 2025, Delta remains the largest A220 customer with a fleet of about 80 jets. In total, more than 900 A220s have been ordered worldwide, with 442 delivered and 24 operators actively flying the type.

Technically, the A220 stands out for its Pratt & Whitney PW1500G geared turbofan engines, carbon-composite lightweight wing, and aluminum-lithium fuselage. Fly-by-wire controls and refined aerodynamics deliver long legs and low-cost operations. Family weights range from 63 to 71 tonnes (139,000–156,000 lbs) of maximum takeoff weight (MTOW), with ranges between 6,390–6,670 km (3,450–3,600 nautical miles). This makes the A220 capable of serving nearly all transcontinental U.S. markets and even lower-gauge transatlantic or intra-Asia routes.

From a passenger perspective, the Airspace cabin upgrade will bring tangible but modest improvements—nicer lighting, larger bins, and a more modern look. The higher-density 160-seat configuration, however, could translate into slightly less space per passenger, a trade-off that reflects airlines’ push to maximize revenue on each flight.

Strategically, Airbus’s measured approach reflects a balancing act: continue improving a successful program, offer airlines more flexibility and better economics, but avoid undermining its own A320neo family with an A220-500 stretch too soon. By focusing on evolutionary upgrades such as the Airspace interior and higher-capacity A220-300, Airbus is positioning the A220 family to remain a leader in the 100–160 seat segment while keeping its options open for the mid-2030s.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, airbus.com