Air TransportAirbus reveals upgrades to boost A220 appeal
Airbus has announced a series of key upgrades for its A220 family as part of a broader strategy to enhance the aircraft’s appeal in the increasingly competitive 100- to 150-seat jet market.
The new improvements include a higher Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW), the upcoming integration of the Runway Overrun Awareness and Alerting System (ROAAS), and the future implementation of HBCPlus, a new high-bandwidth connectivity system.
These updates come as Airbus works to accelerate A220 production and strengthen its position in a market largely contested by Embraer’s E2 jets. Originally developed as the C Series by Bombardier, the A220 program was acquired by Airbus in 2018 and includes two models: the A220-100 and the larger A220-300.
As of June 2025, Airbus had received 944 firm orders for the A220 — with 826 for the A220-300 and just 118 for the A220-100 — a modest total when compared to its best-selling A320 family.
Recent momentum has been more encouraging: 12 A220s were delivered in June, the program’s best monthly performance in 2025.
Improvements on the way
The A220 family has already benefited from incremental MTOW increases since 2020, adding up to 3 tonnes of extra capacity and expanding the aircraft’s maximum range. A further payload increase is expected to be approved later this year, offering operators more flexibility for long-range missions or denser passenger configurations.
In 2026, Airbus will introduce the Runway Overrun Awareness and Alerting System (ROAAS) to the A220 cockpit. ROAAS alerts flight crews in real time when additional braking force is needed to prevent a runway overrun — one of the most common causes of commercial aircraft accidents. The upgrade will make the A220 fully compliant with EASA’s future safety mandates for all new aircraft types.
Looking further ahead, Airbus will roll out HBCPlus, a next-generation onboard connectivity system that promises faster and more reliable broadband access for passengers and crew. Slated for entry into service after 2028, HBCPlus is designed to enhance the in-flight experience and support real-time aircraft operations.
Sales behind expectations
Although the A220 was launched as a clean-sheet design, Airbus continues to refine the platform to meet evolving airline demands. Its composite-heavy construction, fly-by-wire flight deck, and fuel-efficient Pratt & Whitney engines remain among its standout features. But as sales lag behind expectations — especially for the smaller A220-100 — Airbus appears intent on reinforcing the A220’s value proposition with continuous technical evolution.
“We engineered the A220 to be the most efficient small single-aisle aircraft on the market,” said Jean-François Parent, Chief Engineer of the A220 program. “These upgrades show our commitment to that goal and to keeping the A220 ahead of the curve.”
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