Quantcast

Airlines prefer Airbus A330-900 over smaller variant due to capacity and cost

Qantas launches mammoth Asia flight sale including Bali and Japan
New Update from Air Canada, WestJet, American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue Airways, and Sunwing: Airline Capacity Between Canada and US Slashed as Bookings Plummet Seventy Per Cent
Delta Cuts Two Domestic Routes
United Airlines Technicians Reject ‘Dead on Arrival’ Contract Proposal, Teamsters Say
The State of the Asia Pacific Airline Industry
Spirit Airlines to add Detroit nonstop flight out of Bradley International Airport
Major airline to launch new direct flights from Scotland to North America
Ryanair launches new ‘prime’ membership which saves passengers more than £400 a year
Judge Orders Boeing to Trial on 737 MAX Case
Qantas’ free international Wi-Fi to switch on from next week
The real reason Southwest is charging for bags now
Air France-KLM in ongoing talks with Air Europa on potential stake, CEO says
Frontier Savagely Shades Southwest After They Eliminated Longstanding Free Bag Policy, Sparking Backlash
Frontier Wants You to 'Divorce Your Old Airline' After Southwest Changes
Delta named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies for sustainability initiatives
Passengers escape fiery American Airlines jet in Denver
Delta, American Dive On Slashed Outlooks; But Two Airlines Rally
Competitors are circling Southwest after the airline announced it's going to start charging for checked bags
Exclusive: Dominican Low-Cost Carrier Arajet Wants to Disrupt NYC Market
Boeing deliveries rise 63% in February from a year earlier
Transportation Secretary Duffy Lays Out 10 Ways the FAA Is Working to Upgrade Air Traffic Control and Make Flying Safer
EasyJet pilot Paul Elsworth suspended after flying too close to mountain
Delta Air Lines bets on ‘blended-wing’ flight to reduce emissions
Europe's airlines pivot to bite size M&A deals to limit cost, regulatory burden
Dave Emerson named new CEO of Virgin Australia, replacing Jayne Hrdlicka
Ryanair DELAYS controversial new boarding pass rule to avoid summer chaos
FAA Orders Inspection, Replacement of 737NG Engine Parts
Spirit Adds New Airport, Three Routes
Delta crash passengers should take the $30,000 payment, their lawyers say. Here’s why.
Budget airline launches new cheap flights to one of the UK’s top winter sun destinations
Airlines prefer Airbus A330-900 over smaller variant due to capacity and cost
Policy
Webp 5r3vc2svdh8ibaxk8gr8iutw0za2
Simple Flying | Simple Flying

Most airlines have shown a preference for the Airbus A330-900 over the A330-800, primarily due to its higher capacity and lower operating costs. The A330-800 has received only 12 orders, whereas the A330-900 has secured 344 orders. This disparity is partly attributed to the Boeing 787's earlier entry into service, which led many operators to choose it over the A330-800.

The Airbus A330neo program, launched in 2014, was designed as an upgrade to the original A330 series. It features two variants: the long-range but lower-capacity A330-800 and the higher-capacity A330-900. Despite offering extra range, the A330-800 has not garnered significant interest from airlines, with many opting for the additional passenger capacity of the A330-900 instead.

The original Airbus A330 project began in the mid-1970s and was developed alongside the four-engine A340. The first flight of an A330 took place in November 1992, and it entered service in January 1994. By mid-2010s, there was demand for an updated version to compete with more efficient aircraft like Boeing's 787.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

The improved Airbus A330neo made its first flight in October 2017 and entered service in December 2018. The new Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines are among several enhancements distinguishing these models from their predecessors.

As of October 2024, seven out of twelve ordered Airbus A330-800 aircraft have been delivered. Meanwhile, out of 344 ordered Airbus A330-900 planes, 137 have been delivered. Some airlines that have opted for the less popular variant include Air Greenland, Kuwait Airways, Uganda Airlines, and Garuda Indonesia.

A key factor contributing to this trend is that most airlines prefer additional passenger capacity over a slight increase in range offered by the smaller variant. The larger model already matches or exceeds ranges provided by previous versions such as those found on older models like -200 or -300 configurations within its class size category – making further extension unnecessary unless specifically required by certain routes flown regularly across various regions worldwide today.

Operating costs also play a crucial role; Leeham News analysis shows per-seat cost savings up around thirteen percent when comparing these two different types directly against each other under similar conditions experienced during regular commercial operations globally nowadays too!

Furthermore - timing matters significantly here since Boeing launched development efforts back early last decade before debuting their latest generation widebody jetliner design (the now-famous Dreamliner) which ultimately saw introduction late fall season following year prior decade commencing full-scale production ramp-up phase shortly thereafter leading widespread adoption industry-wide almost immediately thereafter without hesitation whatsoever given perceived advantages held relative competitors' offerings available market space time frame considered critical juncture evolution aviation sector overall historically speaking contextually analyzed retrospectively looking back upon events transpired thus far...

This head start allowed many existing operators using older versions decide switch allegiance favor newer alternative instead thereby reducing potential sales opportunities left remaining open airbus consequently impacting negatively resulting situation whereby relatively few orders placed specific model discussed herein article namely aforementioned lesser-known option discussed above previously mentioned paragraph(s).

"Unfortunately," Hawaiian Airlines CEO Peter Ingram told Business Insider regarding decision-making process involved selecting between competing products ultimately settling upon rival manufacturer's solution due concerns surrounding viability long-term prospects associated particular choice made end day despite initial intentions otherwise planned originally outset journey undertaken explore possibilities presented themselves along way throughout course deliberations conducted internally organization level basis comprehensive evaluation criteria established beforehand determine best fit needs requirements outlined stakeholders involved process entirety:

"the lack of orders for [Airbus] -800 opened us up having competition look widebody platform going into decade."

Organizations Included in this History
More News

The aviation industry has seen an increase in serious runway incidents at several airports, alongside rising safety concerns such as bird strikes due to larger bird movements.

Apr 2, 2025

The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is undergoing a significant expansion to enhance passenger services and accommodate future growth.

Apr 2, 2025

The transition of presidential assets with the new Trump administration in the White House has sparked interest in the Vice President's aircraft, commonly referred to as Air Force Two.

Apr 2, 2025

US airline trade association Airlines for America (A4A) has announced its intention to pursue legal action against Amsterdam Schiphol Airport if it proceeds with proposed reductions in flight capacity.

Apr 2, 2025

The Gulfstream G650 has been a prominent figure in the realm of ultra-long-range business jets since its introduction to the market in 2009.

Apr 2, 2025

The Boeing 747, often referred to as the 'jumbo jet', is gradually vanishing from passenger service.

Apr 2, 2025