Spirit Airlines and Airbus have agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) earlier this week for 100 A320neo Family aircraft.
This is the first step to that magic firm order which looks so good in results books.
The airline will shy away from the A220 platform and instead stick to the A320neo family – with plans to order a mix of A319neo, A320neo, and A321neo aircraft.
Spirit is an all-Airbus operator, with the airline, using A319, A320, A321 and the A320neo.
In quotes
Spirit Airlines’ President and CEO Ted Christie said
“This new order represents another milestone for Spirit,”
“The additional aircraft will be used to support Spirit’s growth as we add new destinations and expand our network across the U.S., Latin America, and the Caribbean. We look forward to working with our valued partners at Airbus to finalise our agreement.”
Airbus Chief Commercial Officer Christian Scherer said
“The Airbus A320 Family has been a strong platform for the remarkable success of Spirit over the past several years,”
“The ongoing, enthusiastic spirit the airline demonstrates in our A320neo Family is most rewarding, and we look forward to playing a part in the Spirit team’s continued growth for many, many years to come.”
A possible A319neo order???
Looking at the order, it seems spirit want to avoid introducing the cost of a new type rating and would rather stick to the A320neo family. This makes it one of the few airlines to actively consider the Airbus A319neo, rather than jump to the A220 platform.
Looking at the Airbus A319neo order list, it’s pretty thin/ Other airlines that have got A319neo orders include
- Air China (8)
- Air Côte d’Ivoire (2)
- Private customers (3)
- Undisclosed (Secret Squirrel Airways – 11)
A rather small book of 26 frame – with the first one delivered being a corporate jet.
As you can see by that list, airlines have turned away from the A319neo, preceding the larger capacity A320neo, or going to the smaller A220-300 (which at top density holds 11 fewer passengers -160 vs 149).
We’ll find out soon enough if Spirit Airlines order make up is… and if the A319neo makes a resurgence.
Welcome to Economy Class and Beyond – Your no-nonsense guide to network news, honest reviews, with in-depth coverage, unique research as well as the humour and madness as I only know how to deliver.
Follow me on Twitter at @EconomyBeyond for the latest updates! You can also follow me on Instagram too!
Also remember that as well as being part of BoardingArea, we’re also part of BoardingArea.eu, delivering frequent flyer news, miles and points to the European reader.
I hope they equip these with more “Big Front Seats” than the current fleet.