Star Alliance carrier LOT Polish Airlines has just placed a massive aircraft order, which marks a new chapter for the airline.
Continue reading: LOT Polish Airlines Orders Up To 84 Airbus A220s, In Major Blow To Embraer
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
I love the a220, I flew it first time when Swiss started using them. I enjoy the single seat in the biz class cabin on the left side of the air craft. I wish more us airlines would use it more. Even for 1.5 hr flights would be a dream.
The previous Paris Air Show, held in 2023, saw a record-breaking 1,160 firm orders by airlines. This year will be more modest, with analysts predicting 700-800 aircraft orders to be placed. Among them:
1. 10 Airbus A350F + 30 Airbus A320neo by Saudi air lease company AviLease
2. Airbus A350s by Qatar Airways. Amount not mentioned
3. Airbus A350s by Etihad Airways. Amount not mentioned
4. Up to 25x Airbus A350-1000 by Riyadh Air
5. 6 Airbus A350s by EgyptAir
6. 40 Airbus A220s by LOT Polish
7. 20 Airbus A220s by Royal Air Maroc
8. 20 regional jets by Ethiopian. Unclear if Boeing 737 MAX 7, Airbus A220, or Embraer E2
9. 100 Airbus A320neo by VietJet Air
10. 100 Airbus A220 by AirAsia
Air India was supposed to place an order for more wide-body aircraft, but of course in light of the crash that's not happening
I wonder what will happen to their current E195-E2s they have. Maybe a commentary on their dissatisfaction with their performance overall?
These planes are a pleasure to fly with larger windows and overhead bins. This is good news for Canada where these aircraft are built.
Just wanted to add to the love for the A220. Glad at least Delta flies them domestically. I’m glad that Boeing failed in killing it, and Airbus gave it a home. Shame Boeing’s actions almost took down Bombardier though.
Looks like LOT wanted a larger capacity plane, many carriers are possibly going that route with the A220.
Everyone seems to like it. I have not flown on one yet, but help me understand in what world is a 2-3 configuration better than a 2-2 configuration (unless we are talking about a CRJ).
I'm really excited to see LOT grow larger, as they're one of the most pleasant European airlines to flight with (second to only Aegean, and maaaybe Air France - but while AF is cost cutting like crazy, LO is improving service). But I also think their strategy of banking everything on CPK is a bit crazy. First of all, projects of this size may get delayed or even cancelled. What is LO going to do if they get their planes but CPK isn't ready yet? Second, you can't seriously claim you plan to join the big three as a major airline while having ONE hub on the entire continent.
"I’d say it also reflects LOT’s more pro-European Union government, given that Airbus is a European aircraft manufacturer" - That is, to put it mildly, nonsense. This project and negotiation has started long time ago, and choosing Airbus has nothing to do with political affiliations.
2-3 is nice for Euro business as a solo-traveller. Even in economy, it’s less people in your row which is nice. Not a huge benefit, but they are nice planes generally.
There are significant geopolitical implications of this order today with Poland's location on the front lines of the Russia-Ukraine war.
not all airlines block the other seat on the left side in business class, so actually it is not a big win for business class travellers, you might end up in economy seat and with a neighbour
Paris Airshow News Update:
“Israeli Stands Censored From View At Paris Air Show”.
I think that they should pursue a strategic alliance with one of the other carriers who sit outside of the big 3 and their JVs. In my view, a partnership with Aegean would be a great fit. Failing that, and assuming they're not in a position to finance a surprise takeover of TAP, there's also Condor (as tried before) and UX.
Embraer has a greater passenger experience with zero middle seats. Just Saying.
Smart move on their part. Hopefully, they will ditch their Boeing jets as well and shift to Airbus models, specifically for long haul. This order is good for Canadian manufacturing and the A220 program. America builds junk.
Don’t forget that A320 and A220 are also built in Mobile, Alabama, USA.
LOT could easily end up with a Bama jet.
The mobile plant mostly caters to the American market.
A220 strictly for USA market
A320 can go to any north/south American carrier.
The production line isn't as big as those found in Toulouse or Hamburg.
It might not be dissatisfaction with the E2 but might be a case of Airbus offering better deals.
The E2 production cost is very close to what Embraer typically sells the jet for, profit is slim.
The A220 though having a higher production cost now can be scaled up to reduce unit cost so airbus is much more willing to go lower during negotiations.
Airbus have also been on a drive for more order for the jet, compared to the A320NEO and even the B737MAX sales have been slow and not forthcoming.
The A220 is great plane from a passengers perspective, but a financial disaster that drove Bombardier out of the commercial aircraft business. With typical hubris, Airbus thought they could squeeze suppliers and get cost down on the A220, but they couldn't. The supplier price reductions needed would have bankrupted the supply chain so now Airbus is stuck with a program that will bleed cash for a very long time. Every order for an A220 is yet more evidence that Airbus is not entirely a for-profit company. I'm sure every one of these frames will be a money loser for Airbus. It is very difficult for Embraer to compete with the A220 because Airbus is willing to lose money on every frame, and Embraer doesn't have that luxury.
“Up to 84” where do you NOT see the word?
I don’t agree with Karl, but both words are definitely present.
Ben, given this is unlikely to be the last major order we see this week, might be fun to do an article on what aircraft purchase “options” mean. I have a basic understanding of it but would love to know more and suspect others might too.
Compared to Porter Airlines of Canada. LOT Polish could use a a lot of fleet rationalization. Maybe this will ah help.
Was that not the case with the U.S. airline industry a few years ago? At this point in time Boeing is not looking too clever, yes?
It may be time for Embrarer to bring forth a midsize aircraft to better compete. They keep losing ground in the regional sector it would seem.
Airbus and Boeing definitely needs some competition in that space and it definitely won’t be coming from China anytime soon.
It looks like the planes on order will sport PW1500G engines. Furthermore, Polish govt. big-ticket procurement contracts include often the so-called offset clauses that obligate bid winners to move some parts of the manufacturing and/or maintenance process to Poland. Airbus will install Polish-made Recaro seats, for example.
Perhaps Embraer could not offer offer much...
I believe LOT won't go all-Airbus for geopolitical reasons. They may continue buying 787 variants, rather than A350, even if quite a few of their 787 planes are grounded due to the engine troubles.
Only speculation on my part but might also have a geopolitical component as Poland is trying to "play ball" and order more European.
Congratulations are due to Lot …. up a staggering 40 places in the World Rankings this year.
Delta has a provision that it is granted a license to perform all MRO service on the corresponding engines of any airframe it purchases. Maybe LOT has a similar deal.
Not all airlines are granted this engine license.