In mid-2023, Air Algerie, the national airline of Algeria, placed a significant order for Airbus wide body jets, including for the A330-900neo and A350-1000. This was in addition to an order for Boeing narrow body jets, as the airline ordered the 737 MAX 9.
There’s now a pretty significant update, as Air Algerie has quietly reworked its Airbus aircraft order…
In this post:
Air Algerie has eight Airbus A330-900neos on order
To recap, in June 2023, Air Algerie announced an order for seven Airbus aircraft, including:
- Two Airbus A350-1000s; this is the largest version of the A350, and the plane has the range to fly 8,700 nautical miles
- Five Airbus A330-900neos; this is the largest version of the A330, and the plane has the range to fly 7,200 nautical miles
As of the end of 2024, the airline has modified this order, though. The carrier’s plan is now to take delivery of eight Airbus A330-900neos, and no more A350-1000s. In other words, the airline replaced the two A350-1000s that it had on order with three A330-900neos.
These A330-900neos are expected to be delivered as of this year (2025), so we’re not too far off from the first delivery.
For context, Air Algerie’s wide body fleet currently consists of eight Airbus A330-200 aircraft, which are an average of over 16 years old. So the planes are by no means old, but I suppose if the airline wants to maintain a modern fleet, this is a sensible move.
These aircraft should also lead to significantly lower operating costs, including nearly 25% reduced fuel burn compared to the current long haul fleet. I would assume that the new aircraft will be used primarily to replace existing aircraft, rather than to just expand the fleet altogether. Currently Air Algerie’s route network goes as far west as Montreal, and as far east as Beijing.
My take on Air Algerie’s modified aircraft order
When Air Algerie placed its Airbus order in mid-2023, I was a bit surprised by the composition of the order. As I explained at the time:
- The A350-1000 has incredible economics and per passenger costs, but it also seems like quite a big plane for the airline
- In terms of fleet commonality and operational efficiency, having a small subfleet of just two jets isn’t ideal
Personally, I think Air Algerie’s modified aircraft order makes a lot more sense. It’s much more efficient to have just the A330-900neo, as the plane has great economics, and more than sufficient range for anywhere the airline would want to fly the jet.
I’ve been wanting to fly Air Algerie for years, and now I’ll definitely wait until the airline takes delivery of these new jets. Some of Air Algerie’s existing A330s have an okay reverse herringbone business class product, so hopefully we see an even better product on the new aircraft.
It sure would be nice to see Air Algerie form some new partnerships, since the airline currently largely operates in isolation. Air Algerie doesn’t belong to any of the global alliances, and has fairly few partnerships aside from interline agreements.
It seems like with a bit of effort, the airline could become a better option for those looking to connect through the region. Then again, Algiers doesn’t seem that interested in being a connecting hub, based on the current complexity of traveling through the airport.
Bottom line
Air Algerie will be refreshing its long haul fleet, as the airline now has eight Airbus A330-900neos on order, which will be delivered as of this year (2025). Initially the airline had ordered two Airbus A350-1000s and five A330-900neos, so I’d say the modified order is much more sensible.
There’s something to be said for fleet commonality, and for avoiding small subfleets with just a couple of jets. I’m curious to see what the carrier’s updated onboard product looks like.
What do you make of Air Algerie’s Airbus aircraft order?
Having only 2 of an airplane type is ridiculous, this makes total sense. They probably can get 2 A330-900's for the price of one A350-1000. They A330-900 is the slowest selling commercial aircraft still in production so they are cheap and you can probably get one delivered in a month or 2. The fact that Airbus hasn't cancelled the A330NEO proves once again they aren't fully a private for profit company. I assume the jobs...
Having only 2 of an airplane type is ridiculous, this makes total sense. They probably can get 2 A330-900's for the price of one A350-1000. They A330-900 is the slowest selling commercial aircraft still in production so they are cheap and you can probably get one delivered in a month or 2. The fact that Airbus hasn't cancelled the A330NEO proves once again they aren't fully a private for profit company. I assume the jobs and pride from the A330NEO are more important to the EU countries that make it than actually making any money on the program.
"They A330-900 is the slowest selling commercial aircraft still in production so they are cheap and you can probably get one delivered in a month or 2. The fact that Airbus hasn't cancelled the A330NEO proves once again they aren't fully a private for profit company"
Like, none of that is accurate. Wow, lol.
Economy of scale with same basis airframe A330, just upgraded engines.
Also, could be pilot training/qualification is same or near same for A330 CEO & NEO leading to further savings.
No need to re-invent the wheel.
I suspect they realized they don't need a plane as big as the A350-1000, pricing and availability on the 339 is better, and there was no reason to have a plane as capable as the 350 given that there appears to be nothing the 350 can do that the 339 can't also do.
Airbus might have given them some compensation for giving up 350 production slots
Maybe the A350 was just too much airplane for them in the end? If you're making money with a fleet of A330s and don't harbor grand ambitions of massive global expansion, there's little point in going really big.
As I've never been on the A330neo (yet), how would you compare the neo's to other a/c especially the ceo aside from cabin width?
The NEO has the same physical dimensions of the CEO, so it's a matter of individual airlines' choice of interior, than comparing it to different aircraft.
I know that regarding the airframe, but how quiet is the neo compared to similar a/c and its predecessor as well and how is the ride handling?
It's a fly-by-wire aircraft that can be set to handle however the manufacturer wishes it to, so of course it's going to handle the same as the CEO.
It has the same Rolls-Royce Trent engines as the 787, so it's going to sound basically the same as those do.
Interesting how Tunisair is all-Airbus, RAM is mostly Boeing and AH has a mix of both. Now if only AH would add an Aeroplan-like partnership!