Aviation: JetBlue and Moxy confirm A220

US carrier jetBlue Airways and start-up Moxy have each confirmed orders for 60 Airbus A220-300s. The aircraft - previously known as the Bombardier C-Series 300 - will seat between 130 and 150 passengers and will be deployed on the carriers' North American networks. Both orders were finalised in December 2018.

jetBlue will take five A220s in 2020, followed by four in 2021. Then in 2022 it will receive another eight, 19 in 2023, 22 in 2024 and the final two in 2025.

Moxy is the working name for David Neeleman latest airline venture andfollows his founding jetBlue Airways and Azul Brazilian Airlines (see The Aviation Oracle - Look out for Moxy). Plans for the new low-cost carrier were unveiled at the Farnborough International Air Show last July when Neeleman said: “The A220-300 is the right airplane for a new airline that will be focused on passenger service and satisfaction. With a low cost of operation and spacious cabin, the A220 will allow us to provide passengers with lower fares and a high quality, comfortable flying experience. The A220’s ability to operate profitably in thin, underserved markets across a broad spectrum of ranges is unique.” Moxy's first A220s are also expected to roll out of the factory in 2020.

Airbus claims the A220's advanced aerodynamics and specifically-designed Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1500G geared turbofan engines contribute to 20% lower fuel burn per seat than previous generation aircraft, half the noise footprint, and decreased emissions. More than 500 A220s have been ordered to date and Airbus has already broken ground for a purpose-designed final assembly line at its plant in Mobile, Alabama, which will build the aircraft destined for jetBlue and Moxy - as well as some already ordered by Delta Air Lines. More than A220-100s and A220-300s have been delivered to Swiss International Air Lines, airBaltic, Air Tanzania, Korean Air and Delta Air Lines.