Croatia Airlines (OU) has taken delivery of its first Airbus A220-100. The aircraft, registered 9A-CAO, is fitted with 127 seats. This also makes it the world’s most densely configured A220-100. The carrier hopes to take delivery of two of the type, with the second arriving in 2027 per data from ch-aviation.
The -100 is the smaller and less-popular variant of the A220 family composed of two models. The -300 has garnered over 800 total orders with customers across the world according to Airbus information from January 2025. The A220-100, on the other hand, has just five operators today and much less interest.
Highest Density -100
While Croatia Airlines now operates the highest-density A220-100, the runner-up is not far off. Italy’s ITA Airways and SWISS are joint second with 125 seats on their fleets of -100s. The airline with the lowest-density A220-100s is actually across the pond. Delta Air Lines’ planes feature just 109 seats.
|
Total A220-100 |
Configuration |
Airline |
|---|---|---|
|
127 |
127 economy class |
Croatia Airlines |
|
125 |
125 economy class |
ITA Airways |
|
125 |
125 economy class |
SWISS |
|
118 |
110 economy class and 8 business class |
Bulgaria Air |
|
113 |
105 economy class and 8 business class |
Air Niugini |
|
109 |
82 economy class, 15 premium economy, 12 business |
Delta Air Lines |
The aircraft will operate on Croatia Airlines’ European network from its Zagreb hub. According to schedules filed to aviation analytics firm Cirium, the plane will primarily fly to Brussels this month with 10 rotations (each-way).
This month, the plane will provide just over 5,300 total seats across 42 flights. It will also fly to other key European cities including Frankfurt, Milan and Barcelona and will be deployed domestically to Dubrovnik and Split. CEO Jasmin Bajič said:
“Our first A220-100, which carries the name of Dubrovnik, will strengthen our flight network, provide both passengers and crew with a first-class flying experience and contribute to more sustainable operations. We thank our partners – Airbus and Air Lease Corporation – for their support in realising the complete renewal of our fleet, the biggest strategic project in the history of Croatia Airlines”
Croatia Airlines’ Fleet Renewal
The new aircraft is leased from Air Lease Corporation and forms part of the airline’s fleet renewal plan. It is shifting focus away from its Airbus A320 family jets which are on average 23.5 years old. It currently has two A320s and four A319s in service. These will be retired, along with its turboprop fleet of four Dash 8 Q400s as it moves to become an all-A220 airline.
The carrier is proud of its new jet, even boasting about the higher-density seating configuration. Although likely less comfortable than other airlines operating the type, the A220 represents a considerable product upgrade compared to its turboprops and older-generation Airbus jets.
OU also operates the -300 variant. It took delivery of its first back in 2024 and now has six in service. Its fleet renewal project is planned for completion in 2027 by which time it hopes to have 15 A220s in total.
The Least Successful A220 Variant
The Airbus A220 is larger than a regional jet but smaller than a typical narrowbody plane such as the 737 or A320. In other words, it sits in between the two markets and has managed to attract from both ends.
LOT Polish Airlines placed an order for 20 of each variant at the 2025 Paris Air Show. These planes will be used to replace its Embraer E1 regional jets, a contract Embraer was keen to secure with its E2 offering.
While the -100 managed 118 orders, the -300 has proven more popular with as airlines look for increased capacity. Some airlines are searching for an even larger A220 variant, dubbed the -500. This includes Breeze Airways that has said it would be “interested in buying” the stretch should Airbus launch it. However, Airbus says that it will not be continuing with any such stretch until the existing A220 program reaches profitability.
