International Airlines Group (IAG), which is the parent company of British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, LEVEL, etc., has just gone on a massive shopping spree, to renew its long haul fleet. I don’t think there’s anything surprising here, and there’s one aspect of this that I’m particularly happy to see.
In this post:
IAG orders A330neos, A350s, 777Xs, 787s
IAG has placed a firm order for 71 wide body jets. This order includes:
- 32 Boeing 787-10s, which are intended for British Airways
- 21 Airbus A330-900neos, which are intended for Aer Lingus, Iberia, and/or LEVEL
- Six Boeing 777-9s, which are intended for British Airways
- Six Airbus A350-1000s, which are intended for British Airways
- Six Airbus A350-900s, which are intended for Iberia
Note that technically, 53 aircraft (787-10s and A330-900neos) are considered new orders, while 18 aircraft (777-9s, A350-900s, and A350-1000s) simply represent the exercising of options for existing orders.
The 53 new aircraft are expected to be delivered between 2028 and 2033. They’re mainly for fleet modernization, though the airline group claims that roughly one-third of the orders are for growth in IAG’s core markets.
It’s worth noting that this order has been promoted as being part of the new trade deal between the US and UK. However, clearly that’s just a convenient way to make headlines and give politicians credit, given that the order also includes Airbus jets, IAG is a Spanish registered company, and many of these orders are going to airlines in Ireland and Spain.
My take on IAG’s wide body aircraft order
I don’t think there’s anything terribly surprising here. When it comes to British Airways, it makes sense for the airline to order more 777-9s, 787-10s, and A350-1000s, given that the company has dozens of aging 777s that eventually require replacing. The airline hadn’t ordered all that many 787-10s and A350-1000s, and they’re both great planes with awesome economics, so it makes sense to scale those fleets.
Iberia already has a substantial fleet, but it sounds like the airline will be leaning into that aircraft even more, as it eventually starts to retire existing A330s, and maybe even pick up some A330-900neos.
Speaking of that, I think the A330-900neo order is the most interesting development here. It’s states that those jets are going to Aer Lingus, Iberia, and/or LEVEL. Aer Lingus’ wide body fleet consists of 13 A330s, with the A330-200s being an average of 22 years old, and the A330-300s being an average of 11 years old. Those planes will eventually need to be replaced, so I sure hope that the plan is to fully modernize that fleet with A330-900neos.
I’m delighted to see a wide body fleet renewal plan for Aer Lingus, since it’s often the neglected airline in the group (sort of like Austrian in Lufthansa Group). The A330-900neo seems like a great fit for Aer Lingus, and I’m curious to see what kind of an onboard product the airline will offer. At least my hope is that this is how that plays out, and that most of the jets don’t go to Iberia.
Bottom line
IAG has just placed a huge wide body aircraft order, to renew the long haul fleets of British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and LEVEL. This order includes additional 777-9s, 787-10s, and A350-1000s for British Airways, as well as additional A350-900s for Iberia. Then there are A330-900neos going to Aer Lingus, Iberia, and/or LEVEL. I’d consider the last part of that order to be most exciting, and I hope this means there’s finally a plan for Aer Lingus to refresh its wide body fleet.
What do you make of IAG’s huge aircraft order?
78X is the perfect aircraft for the bulk of BA’s routes, medium capacity flights 8-10 hours long. A35K can cover longer flights and the 779 can cover the hub-hub routes. I imagine BA might top up the 779 order one more time when it’s time to say goodbye to the A380s
Is that 777x ever going to see the light of day in service? What's the delay now? 6 years and counting?
Ben,
In Miami, May 14-15, will be AFA-Aviation Festival Americas,
The speakers include:
Luc Bondar, UA MileagePlus VP
Benjamin Lipsey, AF Customer Loyalty Flying Blue
Ken Pyatt, MIA Deputy Aviation Director
How do You see the productivity and usefulness of the event?
Are You going? and if NO, Why Not??
probably not productive at all. who cares
Can all of these planes be registered in the UK, then “leased” to the EU airlines to avoid still unsettled US/EU tariffs? That is if these tariffs are in place at time of delivery!
I believe the boeing orders are part of the us-uk trade deal as they are for BA and are brand new.
@John Bamforth,
The US government does not negotiate commercial deals between companies. This is just politicians taking credit for something to score points with the US electorate.
Yes, I am sure you believe that because airlines are notorious for impulse buying and don’t plan for these purchases over months or years
As usual, major carrier balancing orders between Boeing and Airbus. They are all terrified that Boeing will go under and any leverage they have with Airbus on price will go away with it.
All good products and a wise long-term investment.
BA had many years reliable service with the 747. By far the biggest problem in the current BA fleet, is the very regular failure rate of the carriers very small fleet of European A380s. FACT!!!
Hah, "LEVEL". I forgot they existed at all. The interesting bit here is that BA's new 787-10s will come equipped with GE engines instead of Rolls, no doubt a concession to the Americans.
and part of the US-UK agreement is that Rolls-Royce engines and parts can be imported to the US without any tariffs... guess which US airline which operates an engine maintenance overhaul facility this benefits.
Scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.
The A330-900 continues to pick up orders and expand its customer base. Great alternative to the carbon fiber widebodies - new generation powerplant, revised airframe.
Good Morning Tim, welcome back old bean.
I too like the A330 cab, with no dislikes for any of the AirBus ‘plastic planes’. As an F (private) or F/J (when my masters pay BA) one likes to choose the airline of repute flying to our chosen destinations non-stop out of LHR. Seat price can become a factor when one is paying, however, Boeing 777’s sometimes feature on some routes.
Now bring it one the...
Good Morning Tim, welcome back old bean.
I too like the A330 cab, with no dislikes for any of the AirBus ‘plastic planes’. As an F (private) or F/J (when my masters pay BA) one likes to choose the airline of repute flying to our chosen destinations non-stop out of LHR. Seat price can become a factor when one is paying, however, Boeing 777’s sometimes feature on some routes.
Now bring it one the stalkers and AirBus bashes, thereafter, some of us can enjoy a good game.
Brussels is the neglected airline in Lufthansa group
What engine British Airways will choose for the 787's?
IAG has chosen GE engines for their 781 aircraft order