Airbus Announces New Airspace Cabin for A220
Air Canada to Launch Airbus A220 Airspace Cabin Featuring XL Bins
Airbus confirmed on April 8, 2025, its plan to integrate the Airspace cabin on the A220 aircraft. Air Canada will be the launch customer, and the airline will receive the updated jets from early 2026.
This development will extend the Airspace cabin, already present on Airbus’ larger wide-body aircraft, to its single-aisle A220 family.
Airspace XL Bins for Enhanced Capacity
The new A220 cabin will feature the Airspace XL overhead bins. According to Airbus, these bins will provide a 20% increase in volume and will be 10% lighter. The design will also enable faster turnaround times for crew.
Furthermore, the Airspace XL bins will increase bag capacity on the A220-300 by 15%, allowing up to 19 more passenger bags. The bins’ four-frame structure will accommodate longer and heavier items.
Upgraded Passenger Service Unit, New Lighting
Features Airbus stated that the A220 will also incorporate an upgraded Passenger Service Unit (PSU). This will be in line with the established Airspace design language. The A220 cabin currently offers wide seats, a wide aisle, and the largest cabin and windows in its class. The introduction of the Airspace cabin will build upon these existing advantages.
The cabin will offer new Airspace lighting features. These will include an optional third LED lightstrip under the new bins, which will enhance the onboard ambience. Additional Operational Benefits Airbus emphasised that the A220 Airspace cabin will offer increased reliability and reduced maintenance due to simplified movable mechanisms.
The enhanced boarding experience for passengers and improved crew experience due to the handling of the new fixed bins were also highlighted. The simpler and lighter bins will lead to an overall improvement in turnaround time and a reduction of the cabin structure weight by approximately 300 lbs.
This will directly improve the airline’s operational efficiency and revenue generation.
Air Canada’s Fleet Commitment Air Canada’s total firm orders for the A220-300 stand at 65 aircraft, including its latest reorder. The airline anticipates the delivery of its first A220-300 with the new XL bins installed by early 2026. The XL bins will become the standard configuration later in 2026.
Industry Recognition
The Airbus A220 Airspace cabin was a finalist for the Crystal Cabin Award in the category of passenger comfort. The winners were announced on April 8, 2025.