Airbus plans to achieve regulatory certification in 2028 for an expanded 160-seat cabin configuration on the A220-300, moving beyond the current 150-seat threshold. The schedule was outlined by European sales head Johan Pelissier during the European Regions Airline Association assembly.
To satisfy emergency evacuation limits monitored by Transport Canada alongside EASA and the FAA, the airframe requires a structural revision incorporating a second overwing emergency exit on each fuselage side. The cabin interior will also see reconfigured aft galleys and lavatory spaces, using lightweight seating to accommodate the denser pitch. AirAsia acts as launch customer after placing an order for 150 units in May 2026, while 30 to 40 percent of targeted European operators are actively reviewing the option.
Operationally, the manufacturer noted that durability challenges involving Pratt & Whitney GTF engines are receding, expecting no aircraft grounded due to spare parts shortages from 2027 onward. Airbus is targeting a monthly production tempo of 13 aircraft by 2028 across facilities in Mirabel and Mobile, backed by a Belfast wing plant expansion exceeding 6,000 square meters scheduled for early 2028. The total program backlog stands at roughly 1,000 A220-300s and 100 A220-100s.
Why it matters for your training
Cabin density increases require technical adjustments to emergency egress limits and affect payload-range calculations for airline fleet planning.
