8 October, 2018: Delta Air Lines’ first A220-100 took off for the first time from Mirabel airport, Québec, crewed by A220 programme test pilots. During successful 2 hour and 53 minutes flight, the crew checked the aircraft’s main systems and landed back in Mirabel.
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 commence service in early 2019.
Delta Air Lines will be the first US airline to operate the A220 – at the same time becoming the fourth A220 operator, after Swiss International Air Lines, airBaltic, and Korean Air. Delta is the largest A220-100 customer, with a firm order for 75 aircraft.
The A220-100 delivers supreme fuel efficiency. It brings together state-of-the-art aerodynamics, advanced materials and Pratt & Whitney’s latest-generation PW1500G geared turbofan engines to offer at least 20 percent lower fuel burn per seat compared to previous generation aircraft.