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Many years ago i.e. back in 2016 this blog was one of the first to break the news that Delta Air Lines was going to buy the then CS300 jet from Bombardier. Boy did they ever go big with this amazing modern jet as currently Delta has a total, as of today’s post, of 78 of these jets in two variants.
It took me a while to fly on this jet partly because of the pandemic as well as for other reasons but when I did I was pleased but had reservations over the sub par premium economy style of seats they chose to go with for first class. But the 2-3 seating in coach is clearly a winner for those who are flying as a couple.
For those not in the know the reasons Delta went with this “baby airbus” are many but a few of them are that it makes Delta pilots happy because it is a real mainline jet and real Delta pilots fly them and it makes flight attendants happy as well because again it is a real Delta jet (not a connection non mainline partner). That and the fact that this jet can do so much that a “normal” jet does as far as performance and distance. It is just a brilliant design.
But all of the above does not help the current environment that could mean, one day, the end of the production of this jet despite the many orders in the books. I want to bring in a video of the background of how we go to where we are. Both this one and the next one will take some time but I hope you can buy out the time to watch them as they are fascinating. Let’s begin:
We now fast forward to today and the next headwind to possibly drive the nail in the coffin for the A220. The current president loves slapping tariffs on everyone everywhere. The Delta CEO has over and over again stated the company he heads will NOT be paying tariffs and has taken all kinds of creative means to avoid them like basing new A350 jets outside the USA to loophole them out of tariffs and just recently cannibalizing brand new A220 engines to use on older US based jets.
But just how long can Delta dance their way around tariffs and or how long before Airbus decides making this jet is just not worth the effort. It will be interesting to find out. – René
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Don’t they make them in Alabama for delta? I realize some parts are still imported.
@Dave – I think still considered outside the US due to so many bits made outside USA but I could be wrong.
Fuselage components are assembled in Mirabel and those sections shipped as the imported ‘parts’ to Mobile for final assembly. Those parts, being produced in Canada, are covered under USMCA for which there are rating tarrif exemptions as long as tariff shift requirements are met.
What might be more complex could be the stuffed fuselage sections Boeing imports from around the world for the 787.
Hey Rene and thanks for this interesting post.
I really love the A220s and agree that is it a pleasure to fly them rather than the old commuter jets at the F-A-R end of Terminal 4 JFK!
I read that Breeze only uses the A220!
Does it have e the capacity to fly transcontinental?
It would be dandy if Delta flew from smaller to smaller airport transcontinental on one of these!
Have a happy summer! I made 2MM this year and had a fabulous acknowledgement from Delta management!
Cheers!