Poland’s flag-carrier, LOT Polish Airlines, reportedly aims to modernize its regional jet fleet by adding either Airbus A220 or Embraer E2 aircraft. The airline anticipates the first aircraft deliveries in 2024.
Currently, LOT has a fleet of 49 regional jets, which it aims to replace by ordering a new batch of aircraft either from Airbus or Embraer. While the airline is evaluating its options, the choice will be made in the coming six months, the airline’s COO hinted in an interview with the Polish news outlet, Fly4free.
“We are evaluating, and currently the choice is between the Embraer E2 and Airbus A220,” chief operating officer of LOT Polish Airlines, Maciej Wilk told Fly4free.
“We can safely assume that regardless of which airplane we choose, it will be an order for at least 50 aircraft,” Wilk added.
With the addition of either Airbus A220 or Embraer E2 aircraft, the Polish airline would first replace its existing fleet of De-Havilland Canada Dash 8 regional jets.
AeroTime has asked LOT Polish Airlines for a comment.
Historically, LOT Polish Airlines has been a customer of Boeing, Embraer, Bombardier, McDonnell Douglas, ATR, and even Tupolev, Planespotters.net data shows.
Therefore, the addition he A220 would mark Airbus’ first entry into LOT’s fleet. Though, it is worth reminding that the Airbus A220, formerly CSeries, was designed and developed by the Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier.
Airbus A220 vs Embraer E2
While both aircraft families are targeting a relatively underserved 100-150 seat market, both have notable differences.
The Airbus A220 jet family currently comprises two variants, the A220-100 and the A220-300. Both A220 variants are larger and have a higher range than its Brazilian rival’s Embraer E2 jets. However, both A220 and E2 jets can reach the speed of Mach 0.82 (1005 kilometers per hour).
The A220-100 is tailored to the 100-135 seat market, while the larger version A220-300 serves the 120-160 seat market. The A220-100 has a maximum range of 6,390 kilometers and the A220-300 has 6,297 kilometers.
In comparison, the Embraer E2 jet family currently comprises three variants, the E175-E2, the E190-E2, and the E195-E2.
The smallest version of the E2 jet family, the E175-E2 has a capability to seat up to 90 passengers, while the layout of the E190-E2 seats 114. The largest variant, the E195-E2, is capable of carrying a maximum of 146 passengers, and has a maximum range of 4,815 kilometers. However, the E190-E2, which has fewer seats than the newest E1955-E2, has a range of 5,278 kilometers.