Wizz Air Picks GTF Engines for 177 A321neos
Wizz Air has reaffirmed its long-standing partnership with Pratt & Whitney, selecting the engine maker’s GTF engines to power up to 177 Airbus A321neo aircraft. The deal was officially announced on June 17, 2025, during the Paris Air Show, marking a major win for Pratt & Whitney over rival CFM International, which had also been in contention for the contract.
The decision brings Wizz Air’s total GTF-powered fleet orders to 453 aircraft, reinforcing the airline’s aggressive expansion strategy and commitment to fuel-efficient operations. The newly selected PW1100G-JM geared turbofan engines will support Wizz Air’s goal to grow its fleet to 500 aircraft within the next decade.
“Our relationship with Pratt & Whitney has been instrumental in supporting our growth strategy,” said József Váradi, CEO of Wizz Air. “GTF engine technology delivers the most economical solution, providing unmatched fuel efficiency while enabling quieter and less emitting flights for our passengers, and a lower cost base for the airline.”
The deal comes at a challenging time, as Wizz Air has been forced to temporarily ground portions of its fleet due to unforeseen maintenance issues involving its existing GTF engines. Despite these disruptions, the airline has chosen to double down on its relationship with Pratt & Whitney, citing the long-term value and performance of the GTF platform.
Pratt & Whitney, a division of RTX, first began powering Wizz Air’s growth in 2003, initially supplying IAE V2500 engines for its A320ceo family aircraft, of which the airline still operates 73 units. Today, the engine maker powers 163 A320neo family aircraft in Wizz Air’s fleet, all using GTF engines.
“Today marks another important milestone in our long-standing relationship with Wizz Air and is a vote of confidence in the GTF engine,” said Rick Deurloo, President of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney. “Pratt & Whitney has been exclusively powering the airline’s growth since 2003, and our GTF engines will continue to deliver the lowest fuel consumption available.”
The GTF engine is known for its geared fan architecture, allowing the fan and low-pressure turbine to operate at optimal speeds for greater efficiency. Compared to previous-generation engines, GTF technology offers up to 20% lower fuel consumption, up to 50% lower regulated emissions, and a significantly reduced noise footprint.
Wizz Air’s decision to stay with Pratt & Whitney underscores the airline’s broader commitment to environmentally sustainable growth and cost-effective fleet operations. With plans to serve more routes across Europe and beyond, maintaining a fleet powered by one of the most efficient engines on the market remains a strategic priority.
The announcement further solidifies Pratt & Whitney’s dominance in the narrowbody engine market and highlights the growing importance of fuel economy and emissions performance in airline procurement decisions, even as engine reliability challenges continue to be addressed.
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