The Airbus A220-300 is one of the newest Airbus aircraft being rolled out. It is also one of the newer airplane types designed to serve domestic routes. The Airbus A220-300 is most used on short to medium length flights. But it is capable of flying cross country.
Currently, there are three U.S airlines using the Airbus A220-300 in their fleets. For this article, we’ll focus on Breeze Airways and Delta Air Lines, who each have this new airframe.
Breeze Airways operates a mix of Embraer and Airbus A220-300s. Their plan is to expand their Airbus A220 fleet, making it the fleet majority.
Delta Air Lines, although a much larger airline, has a significant number of Airbus A220s.
In this guide, we will compare Breeze’s and Delta’s Airbus A220-300 product. You will access all the insights you need to get ready for your next flight on either airline’s A220-300.
Flight Route Comparison: Breeze Airways vs. Delta Air Lines
To start the comparison, it’s critical to learn each airline’s business model. It affects both airlines’ approaches for using the A220-300.
Low Cost Business Model for Breeze Airways
Breeze Airways is a “low cost” airline that serves underserved and secondary airports. For example if you live in New York City, you won’t find Breeze Airways at New York – JFK, New York – LaGuardia, or Newark Airport.
Breeze Airways uses the secondary New York City airports like Long Island MacArthur Airport and Westchester County Airport.
As an overview, Breeze tends to go places where the major airlines don’t put as much emphasis.
High Quality Service and Hub-Spoke Business Model for Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines is a larger airline than Breeze. They offer a vast array of flights domestic and international.
Delta focuses on offering quality service through great customer experiences and operational performance. They also are known for their premium services which comes with a higher price tag.
Delta uses hubs, with Atlanta and Detroit being major hubs for the airline. These hubs have connecting flights to smaller airports all around the country.
The airline also has regional brands like Endeavor Air and Delta Connection. These regional brands typically fly to smaller local destinations around their hubs.
Breeze Airways A220-300 Flight Routes
While Breeze uses their Airbus A220 on shorter flights, the airline does use the plane on some trans-continental flights.
Their West Coast destinations like San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, and Phoenix each have nonstop flights to the East Coast.
But most of Breeze’s A220-300 flights are short 1-3 hour flights to underserved destinations. As it stands, Breeze’s network is heavily focused more on the East Coast than the West Coast. The airline has more destinations found on the Eastern side of the country. That means much of their A220-300 flights involve an East Coast destination.
Delta Air Lines A220-300 Flight Routes
Delta has over 900 hundred aircraft in its fleet.
As of December 2024, only 73 of those planes are Airbus A220-300s.
The airline uses them in a more traditional capacity. Delta’s A220s do fly to smaller markets from Delta’s main hubs.
However, the airline does use them on longer, transcontinental routes.
Also, the A220 service is spread out across the country instead of being confined to certain pockets.
Winner – Tie
Cabin Configurations and Passenger Experience
While both airlines fly the same Airbus A220-300 anatomically, there are major differences between each product when it comes to the cabin configurations and passenger experience.
Breeze’s Not Too Shabby Cabin Product
The first thing to note is that Breeze Airways’ actual product focuses more on affordability and flexibility.
Breeze offers 3 seating options on board their Airbus A220-300.
Breeze Ascent
The airline’s premium cabin is known as Breeze Ascent. Breeze Ascent is 12 seats found at the front of the plane. In this section, you will have 39 inches of legroom and plenty of space to recline. These seats also feature a leg rest.
Breeze’s Economy Seating
Majority of the seats on Breeze’s Airbus A220 are economy seating. Here, you will have 30 inches of legroom. If you need more space, there is a premium economy option available whose seats are branded as “XL”. These XL seats offer 33 inches of legroom.
Delta’s Focus on Quality
Delta Air Lines has built its brand on luxury and customer loyalty. Their cabin product reflects these values. Delta does dedicate more premium seating on board their A220-300s than Breeze Airways.
Delta First Class
Near the front of the plane, 12 seats are set aside for Delta’ most premium seating arrangement, called “First Class”. First Class has 12 seats that include 37 inches of legroom.
Delta Comfort +
30 seats are designated to Delta’s premium economy class, Comfort +. In Comfort +, you will receive up to 34 inches of legroom per seat.
Delta Standard Economy
Finally, Delta’s standard economy on the Airbus A220 has 88 seats. Each has 32 inches of legroom.
Winner – Delta Air Lines
In-Flight Amenities and Services
When comparing Breeze Airways’ and Delta’s in-flight amenities on board the Airbus A220-300, you will begin to see a vast difference between each of these products.
Breeze’s Amenities Standard for Low Cost Airline.
Breeze Airways offers a slew of amenities on each of their Airbus A220-300s.
To start, each seat has USB power ports. Which means you can charge your electronic devices that take a USB. There are also 60W laptop charging ports with USB-C ports. For passengers having to complete work on the plane, this works great for you.
On each of the Breeze’s 220’s, inflight entertainment will be through your own personal devices. You will be able to stream tv shows and latest movies.
High Speed WIFI is available for purchase on select aircraft. WIFI is complementary if you purchase premium seating.
One thing to note is the lack of meal service on these flights which is expected. You can expect water but everything else generally you need to buy.
Delta Offers High Class Amenities
Delta Air Lines pulls away from Breeze Airways when it comes to amenities for the Airbus A220-300 flights. This makes sense since the airline is inclined to provide the best possible passenger service.
On Delta A220-300 flights, passengers have access to high speed WIFI. However, like Breeze this feature is not complementary. If you are a Delta Skymiles member, your WIFI will be complementary. If you are not, you will likely have to pay extra for WIFI.
An amenity that Delta provides that Breeze doesn’t provide is meal service on flights over 900 miles.
Since Delta does fly the A220 on transcontinental flights, those passengers will have a complimentary meal service of sandwiches and wraps. Non alcoholic beverages are complimentary. For premium Delta travelers, you will have complimentary beer, wines and spirits on Airbus A220 flights.
Passengers on board Delta’s A220 will have inflight entertainment. The inflight entertainment system is on the seat back in front of you. In addition to streaming tv shows and movies, you will also have the option to view live satellite tv.
Just like Breeze, Delta also provides you with in-seat power via USB-C power ports. You will also have a power outlet to charge things like your laptop.
Winner – Delta Air Lines
Pros and Cons of Each Airline’s A220-300 Experience and The Winner
The Positives of Breeze’s Airbus A220-300 Service
The major pro for traveling on Breeze Airways Airbus A220 is the price. Since the airline is low cost, you can fly for much cheaper than Delta Air Lines.
With a somewhat similar route network as Delta, if you are looking for value, Breeze will be your choice.
The Negatives of Breeze’s Airbus A220-300 Service
But, the cons just outweigh the pros for Breeze Airways. Their routes are served to and from lots of underserved markets.
For example, the bulk of their transcon routes involving the Airbus A220 are flown through its hub in Richmond. If you’re from Richmond, great!
Otherwise, you’ll need to find a connecting flight to Virginia.
You may be able to catch a flight out of New Orleans or Tampa International, but if you’re looking to fly from JFK airport, you’re out of luck.
Also, since Breeze is a low cost airline, if you’re looking for creature comforts you probably won’t find them here.
Breeze’s A220s lack seat back flight entertainment monitors. The economy and premium economy product is also inferior to Delta’s in terms of leg room.
WIFI needs to be purchased as well. If you’re able to deal with some of these shortcomings, then yes Breeze and their A220 service will work out for you.
Delta’s Pros to Their Airbus A220-300 Product
While Delta has lots of pros as an airline. Their Airbus A220 product leaves much to be desired, considering.
Delta’s economy product is much better than Breeze right out of the box. Passengers have more leg room with a standard economy ticket than Breeze.
There is also complimentary meal service on flights longer than 900 miles. Which means all the cross country flights Delta’s A220 flies on. Something which Breeze doesn’t offer.
Finally, Delta’s Inflight Entertainment system on the A220 is better than Breeze’s. Delta even goes beyond, by offering live satellite tv.
Delta’s Cons to Their Airbus A220-300 Product
There are significant pros but there are some significant cons when it comes to Delta’s A220 product. First of all, Breeze’s most premium product Breeze Ascent might be superior to Delta’s First Class Package.
Breeze gives those passengers a whopping 39 inches of legroom versus Delta’s 37 inches.
While Delta’s gives you more frills in terms of amenities, those 2 extra inches can make a big deal of difference.
For an airline that butters its toast on customer service and charges higher ticket prices than most U.S airlines, paying for WIFI is definitely a major con for Delta.
The Final Verdict
If you had the option to fly aboard Delta’s or Breeze’s Airbus A220 product, we’ll have to side with Delta.
While Breeze’s low cost is very attractive, there are too many frills removed from their A220 product.
While Delta does charge a higher price, flying on their Airbus A220 product might slightly be more enjoyable. Having a meal service and a better inflight entertainment system, being the main difference maker.
Conclusion
Realistically, you cannot go wrong with either Breeze or Delta Air Lines when it comes to the Airbus A220-300. You will have a safe and fairly comfortable flight. Reviews from passengers flying on the aircraft are always positive.
However, if you are a passenger that needs to have special comforts to fly, you may look to splurge a little more and fly on Delta Air Lines. Delta’s A220 has a slightly better cabin product than Breeze’s.
We would like to hear your experiences flying on Delta’s or Breeze’s Airbus A220-300. Be sure to let us know what you think by using the comment box below.
Sources
https://www.flybreeze.com/our-fleet/A220-300/A220-137
https://www.delta.com/us/en/aircraft/airbus/a220-300
https://www.flightradar24.com/33.86,-90.41/5
https://canvasbusinessmodel.com/blogs/how-it-works/breeze-airways-how-it-works
https://www.flightconnections.com/route-map-breeze-airways-mx
