Air France-KLM is now considering an order for the Boeing 737-Max. However, the Airbus A320neo and the A220-500 are also being examined as alternatives. The latter model does not even exist yet, but the French-Dutch group is particularly interested in a stretched version of the A220-300.

CEO Ben Smith stated during the "Routes Reconnected" held online that the decision to renew the narrowbody fleet should be made soon. So far, no major orders have been placed in this segment for the renewal of some of the outdated machines.

The group members Air France, KLM and Transavia have many A320ceo, A321ceo and Boeing 737NG aircraft waiting to be exchanged. Ben Smith indicated that the Boeing 737-Max should have good cards. It is possible that the announcement of a bulk order will wait until the sample is actually back in a carrier in the commercial liner service.

But Ben Smith is also bringing a completely different variant to the table: In his opinion, a stretched variant of the Airbus A220-300 would "make sense". The Airbus A220-500 is discussed again and again, but is currently not built by the manufacturer. Air France-KLM has indicated repeatedly in the past that this pattern may be of interest. Smith is also looking at the A321LR and A321XLR.

Which model Air France-KLM will choose is completely open. A “mixture” is also conceivable, because KLM and Transavia are Boeing operators and therefore a 737-Max order would be quite logical. Air France, on the other hand, is an Airbus customer in this segment, which is why an order from the European aircraft manufacturer is likely. But Corona reshuffled the cards, which is why Air France-KLM could tackle a “major construction site” and standardize the medium-haul fleet across the group. This would enable great synergies. The further development therefore remains to be seen.