TAAG Angola Airlines has just added a new type of aircraft to its fleet, marking the beginning of a major fleet refresh for the airline. The carrier has even unveiled a new livery to go along with this!
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TAAG Angola Airlines adding 15 Airbus A220-300s to fleet
In 2022, Africa’s TAAG Angola Airlines placed an order for 15 Airbus A220-300s, in a bid to modernize its narrow body fleet. The carrier’s narrow body jet fleet otherwise consists of seven Boeing 737-700s, which are an average of around 18 years old.
The plan is to fully replace those with A220-300s, so that not only represents a major modernization, but also quite some growth. The Airbus A220-300 is an incredibly capable jet. It has fantastic fuel economy (25% less fuel burn than previous generation aircraft), industry leading passenger comfort (thanks in large part to the 2-3 configuration), and amazing range (up to 3,450 nautical miles), so it’ll unlock a lot of new opportunities for the airline.
TAAG Angola Airlines is configuring these jets with 137 seats, comprised of 12 business class seats and 125 economy seats. The carrier’s 737-700s have just 120 seats, so the A220-300 actually represents a capacity upgrade for the airline.
The airline has this week taken delivery of its very first Airbus A220, which has the registration code D2-TAA. The plane is expected to make the journey from Montreal to Luanda in the coming days.
This is only part of the carrier’s fleet modernization project, as the airline has also ordered four Boeing 787s, comprised of two 787-9s and two 787-10s. Interestingly, the first 787 was supposed to join the carrier’s fleet this year, but presumably there have been some delays due to… well, Boeing being Boeing.
TAAG’s wide body fleet otherwise consists of eight Boeing 777s, with three 777-200ERs and five 777-300ERs. Those planes are an average of just 10 years old, so it remains to be seen how many of those will stick around in the long run.
I can’t help but be fascinated by this airline. Some longtime OMAAT readers may remember my adventure flying with TAAG in first class. I flew with the airline from Lisbon to Luanda, and then from Luanda to Sao Paulo. It was… quite an experience.
TAAG Angola Airlines unveils new livery
Coinciding with the introduction of the Airbus A220, TAAG Angola Airlines has also rolled out a new livery.
For context, below is what the carrier’s old livery looked like. I’ve gotta be honest, I adore this livery, and thinks it’s one of the coolest out there, even if it’s not modern.
The airline has then been progressively introducing a new livery, so when the A220 order was placed, below is what it was supposed to look like.
Now the airline has unveiled an even more modern livery, and it’s debuting on the first A220. I think this livery is really well done. Okay, the front half of the plane is kind of boring (though the contrast between the black “ANGOLA AIRLINES” text on the fuselage and the red “TAAG” branding on the engines is kind of cool). However, the back half of the plane is gorgeous. I love the orange color, the logo, and the way the pattern increasingly becomes more orange.
This will look beautiful on the Boeing 787 as well, if you ask me!
Bottom line
TAAG Angola Airlines has just taken delivery of its first of 15 Airbus A220-300s. The airline will take delivery of these over the coming years, fully replacing the existing Boeing 737-700s. When you combine this with the carrier’s Boeing 787 order, it’s quite an exciting time for the airline. Okay, admittedly most OMAAT readers probably aren’t rushing to fly with the airline, but I still can’t help but keep tabs on what’s going on at the airline…
What do you make of TAAG Angola Airlines’ new Airbus A220s?
The 737 has an advantage using remote airports in that its very low to the ground, so it needs only the most basic equipment to load and unload. Of course that was a disadvantage for 737-Max because the engine didn't fit underneath the wing and had to be put in front of the wing.
Does the A220 have this same advantage of being low to the ground? Also I'm sure spare parts for the A220...
The 737 has an advantage using remote airports in that its very low to the ground, so it needs only the most basic equipment to load and unload. Of course that was a disadvantage for 737-Max because the engine didn't fit underneath the wing and had to be put in front of the wing.
Does the A220 have this same advantage of being low to the ground? Also I'm sure spare parts for the A220 will be difficult to find in Africa considering its supply chain is heavily North American.
Re the livery, I don't like how Angola is spelled across the windows.
Boy oh boy oh boy!!! This is so exotic and cool! The titles especially. What Air Tanzania did with blue and green, TAAG has done with orange and red… that too on the same aircraft, the A220 and 787! Granted, TAAG doesn’t have the 787 yet, but still. If only the airline weren’t so much of a basket case otherwise, there would be some merit to flying all the way to Luanda to fly this plane!
Is it just me, or does every livery on the A220 look cool….? #provemewrong
Agreed. Good-looking bird.
Next step (which should have happened decades ago) a new management and surely a new Crew.
@Nelson - TAAG changes management more often than some people change their clothes. I don't think any TAAG management team that placed an aircraft order was ever still around to take delivery. This order was Eduardo's brainchild and he's long exited the organisation.
Lipstick on a pig.
The airline still sucks.