BermudAir Orders Ten Airbus A220-300 Aircraft to Expand Nonstop Connectivity Across Bermuda, the Caribbean and the Americas

Written By: Subhadip Dey

Subhadip Dey

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July 22, 2026 18:59 GMT+5:30

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BermudAir has placed the Airbus A220-300 at the centre of its next growth phase, with ten aircraft intended to support additional capacity and direct connections across Bermuda, the Caribbean, Central America and North America. The firm order was placed through Odyssey, an affiliated company, and recorded by Airbus in March 2026 before being publicly announced during the Farnborough International Airshow.

The development represents a substantial fleet decision for an airline that began commercial operations in September 2023 with Embraer regional jets. BermudAir plans to configure its A220-300 aircraft with 135 seats across three travel classes. The airline has not disclosed delivery dates, initial routes, cabin allocations or the financial value of the agreement. Consequently, the order should be viewed as a long-term network investment rather than an immediate schedule expansion.

Ten-Aircraft Order Establishes a New Fleet Direction

The agreement is the group’s first direct aircraft order with Airbus and covers ten A220-300s. BermudAir has also outlined an ambition to operate as many as 20 A220 aircraft by 2030, although no firm commitment for the additional ten jets has been publicly confirmed.

Odyssey has a longer association with the aircraft programme. It ordered ten Bombardier CS100 aircraft in 2011, before Airbus assumed control of the CSeries programme and renamed it the A220. Airbus removed Odyssey’s ten A220-100 commitments from its records in March 2026, the same month in which the latest A220-300 order was booked.

Those records indicate that the current arrangement may represent a restructuring of Odyssey’s earlier aircraft position. Neither Airbus nor BermudAir has formally characterised the transaction as a conversion, however, meaning the latest ten-aircraft agreement should be reported according to its confirmed status as a firm A220-300 order.

Airbus A220-300 Matches BermudAir’s Expansion Model

BermudAir currently flies Embraer E175 and E190 aircraft. Previously published configurations have included 70 seats on the E175 and 96 seats on the E190. A 135-seat A220-300 would therefore provide approximately 41 per cent more capacity than the airline’s 96-seat E190, giving BermudAir more seats without moving into the larger capacity range commonly associated with Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 aircraft.

The A220-300 is designed for regional and medium-haul operations. Airbus currently lists a nominal range of approximately 3,400 nautical miles, or 6,300 kilometres. Its operating capabilities could allow BermudAir to retain shorter regional services while evaluating longer nonstop routes from Bermuda and other island destinations.

The aircraft’s range does not confirm any particular route. Commercial viability will depend on passenger demand, seasonal wind patterns, fuel requirements, airport facilities, regulatory approvals and the availability of suitable diversion airports. Although parts of western Europe may fall within the aircraft’s theoretical geographical reach from Bermuda, BermudAir has not announced European services.

More Seats Bring a Different Passenger Experience

The planned three-class, 135-seat configuration places the BermudAir A220 within the lower half of the aircraft’s available capacity range. Airbus lists typical two-class seating of between 120 and 150 passengers, with a maximum certified configuration of 160.

BermudAir has not identified the names of its three cabins or disclosed how many seats will be assigned to each. Seat pitch, onboard entertainment, catering, Wi-Fi availability and baggage allowances also remain unconfirmed.

The A220 has a five-abreast cabin arranged with two seats on one side of the aisle and three on the other. Approximately 80 per cent of passengers therefore receive an aisle or window seat. However, the three-seat side introduces middle seats, marking a change from BermudAir’s existing Embraer product, which has been promoted around two-by-two seating without middle places.

Each aircraft will also be equipped with Airbus Airspace XL overhead bins. Airbus says these provide approximately 20 per cent more storage volume and can accommodate up to 19 additional cabin bags on an A220-300, depending on baggage dimensions and loading arrangements. Greater overhead capacity could help reduce congestion during boarding, particularly on leisure routes where passengers often travel with larger carry-on bags.

New Aircraft Could Support Wider Nonstop Networks

BermudAir’s initial network connected Bermuda with Boston and Westchester County. It has since expanded its presence across the eastern United States and Canada while developing services beyond Bermuda through its broader island-focused strategy.

The airline’s published destination portfolio includes Boston, Baltimore/Washington, Newark, Westchester, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax, alongside seasonal or planned services involving Florida and North Carolina. Its Caribbean and Central American portfolio includes Anguilla, Grand Cayman, Turks and Caicos, Belize and Guatemala. Individual routes operate under different seasonal periods, and some remain subject to regulatory approval.

The A220-300 gives the airline an opportunity to add capacity on established services where Embraer aircraft may become too small. It could also support routes where demand is insufficient for a conventional 150-to-190-seat narrow-body aircraft but strong enough to justify more capacity than a regional jet provides.

BermudAir has said that it intends to examine nonstop markets without direct competition. Such routes could reduce connections through large North American hubs and shorten overall journey times for travellers. Nevertheless, no city should be identified as a future A220 destination until schedules and regulatory approvals are officially published.

Bermuda Tourism Could Benefit from Additional Airlift

Air connectivity carries particular economic importance for Bermuda because visitors, residents, business travellers and patients travelling for medical services depend heavily on international flights. The Bermuda Tourism Authority recorded 199,193 air visitors during 2025, while estimated visitor spending reached approximately US$550 million.

A Bermuda-based airline with greater range and capacity could provide the island with more control over seasonal connectivity. It may also reduce the destination’s reliance on overseas carriers, which can alter capacity in response to fleet availability or broader network priorities.

Additional flights could support hotels, restaurants, attractions, events and local transport providers. They may also improve outbound travel options for residents. However, increased capacity will only remain commercially sustainable if demand grows sufficiently throughout the year. Bermuda’s accommodation inventory, relatively high visitor costs and pronounced tourism seasonality will continue to influence route performance.

The A220 order may also support multi-destination travel across the Atlantic and Caribbean region. Direct services connecting major cities with smaller islands could encourage travellers to combine Bermuda with other destinations, although practical schedules and coordinated connections would be required.

Efficiency Claims Require Proper Context

Airbus states that the A220 can deliver approximately 25 per cent lower fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions per seat compared with previous-generation aircraft. This is a manufacturer comparison and does not establish that BermudAir will achieve the same reduction against every aircraft it currently operates.

The A220 is capable of flying with blends containing up to 50 per cent sustainable aviation fuel. BermudAir has not announced a specific sustainable fuel programme, and availability across smaller island airports remains limited.

Lower fuel consumption per seat could improve route economics and reduce emissions intensity. Total emissions may still increase if the airline operates more aircraft and flights, making fleet growth and per-seat efficiency separate considerations.

Delivery and Operational Questions Remain

BermudAir must now prepare for pilot training, engineering support, spare parts, ground equipment and regulatory certification. Introducing the A220 alongside Embraer aircraft will create a mixed-fleet operation unless a retirement programme is announced.

The A220 is powered exclusively by Pratt & Whitney PW1500G engines. Previous operators experienced maintenance delays and aircraft groundings involving the engine family, although the number of affected A220s has declined substantially as repair capacity and component availability have improved.

Delivery timing remains the most important unanswered question. Airbus had recorded 1,107 cumulative A220 orders and 526 deliveries by the end of June 2026. A large backlog and continuing supply-chain pressures mean BermudAir’s expansion timetable cannot be established until confirmed delivery slots are released.

Conclusion

BermudAir’s order for ten Airbus A220-300 aircraft marks a significant transition from regional airline development towards a broader Caribbean and American network strategy. The aircraft offers more capacity, longer range and a three-class cabin while remaining smaller than conventional mainline narrow-body jets.

Its effect on travellers will depend on delivery dates, ticket prices, route announcements and schedule frequency. Until those details are confirmed, the order represents a credible framework for future nonstop connectivity rather than an immediate transformation of Bermuda’s flight network.