Industry First A220 for Delta Air Lines conducts maiden flight

The jet took off for a 2 hours and 53 minutes’ flight from Mirabel airport in Quebec. It was crewed by A220 program test pilots.

The flight took place a few days after the aircraft rolled out of the paint shop. Next, the aircraft will continue with pre-delivery testing and assembly, as elements of its state-of-the-art interior come together at the A220 assembly line. Delta’s first A220 is scheduled to begin service in early 2019.

Delta Air Lines will become the fourth A220 operator, beside Air Baltic, Swiss and Korean Air. The US airline is the largest customer of the A220-100, the former Bombardier CS100 with 75 ordered aircraft.

All jets will have 109 seats, 12 in first class, 15 in premium economy and 82 in economy class. With the new fuel efficient jet, Delta Air Lines will replace its aging fleet of 91 Boeing 717.

The jets will be used on short- to medium-haul routes in the carriers’ network.

Delta Air Lines has ordered the Bombardier jets in April 2016 and has options for additional 50 aircraft and delivery flexibility rights including the ability to substitute the larger A220-300 aircraft.

Airbus has received over 400 orders for the A220 from several airlines. Until now, eight A220-100 and 42 A220-300 have been delivered to the customers in Europe and Asia.