Seven years after the A220 began commercial service in 2016, Airbus is preparing to introduce a new cabin architecture. Gone are the Bombardier CSeries design cues, to be replaced by Airbus’s distinctive Airspace cabin scheme, tailored to the A220’s dimensions. The line-fit A220 Airspace cabin is expected to be available for aircraft deliveries in 2026, with a retrofit option to follow.
As with the A320 Airspace cabin, the A220 version is designed to create similar levels of comfort and ambience to widebody aircraft. This passenger experience is great for A220 operators, particularly those that operate other Airbus models, as the Airspace cabin brings an inflight experience that is consistent with aircraft such as the A350, A330neo and A320neo.
Whether an operator is flying its A220s on domestic, regional or international routes, with flights of 30 minutes or more than seven hours, Airbus wants passengers to get the full Airbus experience.
The Airbus design team had some interesting features to work with in the A220 cabin. The cross-section enables a unique 5-abreast configuration in economy class, which is a happy medium between the typically 4-abreast seating of regional aircraft and the 6-abreast configurations of larger single-aisle aircraft such as the A320 or B737. The A220’s cross-section also enables 18.5in-wide seats in economy class, as well as a wide aisle.
Airbus also plans to launch a 160-seat (in a single class layout) A220-300 in 2027, which will increase the aircraft’s maximum passenger capacity by around 10 seats.
The A220 cabin also has straight sidewalls, rather than curved, which increases the feel of spaciousness. That feel is also enhanced by the large windows, which at 11×16” are the largest windows of any single-aisle aircraft, bringing in more natural light. There is a window for each seat row, positioned at eye-sight level.
Passengers will also appreciate the Airspace XL bins, which are 20% lighter than the current bins, with 15% more bag capacity. The Airspace XL bins (supplied by Diehl Aviation) are also easier to open, load and close thanks to simpler mechanisms and fewer parts, which can also help reduce aircraft turnaround times. A new Passenger Service Unit (PSU) will complement the Airspace XL bins.
Airspace also brings in new lighting features to the A220, including an under-bin light. The system enables more than 16 million LED colours, which can be adapted to an airline’s branding and the various flight phases, and may help alleviate jetlag.
And of course the cabin will include many features expected by today’s travellers, including the latest inflight connectivity options, in-seat power, and fourth-generation on-demand video. Buyers can chose seatback and/or overhead video display options.
“The starting point for the ‘clean-sheet’ A220 cabin design was really the passenger,” explained Jocelyn Gariépy, Airbus head of A220 cabin and cabin systems engineering at Airbus. “What are their needs? What do they value most? And the answer was quite simple: plenty of space, a lot of natural light, exceptional comfort, a relaxing atmosphere and a variety of on-board services.”
Air Canada will be the launch customer for the Airbus Airspace cabin on the A220 family of aircraft, with the first aircraft to be fitted with the new bins scheduled for delivery in early 2026.
