EasyJet orders 157 more planes

[Snow1964]

Appears EasyJet is ordering 157 more planes (subject to Shareholder approval) for delivery 2029-2034

• 157 firm orders for delivery between FY29 and FY34 and 100 Purchase Rights, subject to shareholder approval
• Existing order book of 158 aircraft for delivery by FY29
• Conversion of 35 A320neo deliveries into A321neos within existing order
• 315 aircraft now on order for delivery by FY34 alongside a further 100 purchase rights

With 35 also of existing order also being changed to larger A321neo, will be end of the smaller A319s

Reported elsewhere the existing 158 planes are 90 (was 125) A320neo, 68 (was 33) A321neo (with 35 upgauge).
The new 157 order is 56 A320neo, 101 A321neo

easyJet plc - Investors - Reports and presentations

corporate.easyjet.com

Ordering 5-10 years ahead just shows how the budget airlines are chasm from UK rail Operators who often seem to have no idea on what rolling stock they will be allowed to order in few months, let alone years, to keep production lines busy and get competitive build price. But of course DfT prefers expensive short term start-stop plan even though financially poor long term value.

 

[edwin_m]

Ordering 5-10 years ahead just shows how the budget airlines are chasm from UK rail Operators who often seem to have no idea on what rolling stock they will be allowed to order in few months, let alone years, to keep production lines busy and get competitive build price. But of course DfT prefers expensive short term start-stop plan even though financially poor long term value.

There's also a huge backlog of A32x and 737 production, so they probably have no alternative but to get themselves in the queue that far ahead.

 

[stuu]

But of course DfT prefers expensive short term start-stop plan even though financially poor long term value.

You mean the Treasury. Which seems to be designed to thwart any progress in this country

 

[Cheshire Rover]

More good news for the Airbus plant at Hawarden... Judging by the number of Beluga aircraft flying over our house recently the wing lines must be very busy.

 

[YorkRailFan]

Not surprised that they did this after Ryanair and Wizz Air placed large orders earlier this year. This also signals that Easyjet, like many others, has no interest in the A319neo.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Not surprised that they did this after Ryanair and Wizz Air placed large orders earlier this year. This also signals that Easyjet, like many others, has no interest in the A319neo.

I always thought it odd that Sleasy went for the 319. Sure it was the same size as the smaller B737 Classic that formerly made up their fleet, but Ryanair had already proven that the larger aircraft have better economics because you can add a lot more* extra passengers for your 4th cabin crew member (and having 4 rather than 3 as per their old B737s makes the trolley more effective).

* I seem to recall that the 319 added just 7 seats - one row and the "missing seat" from the exit row - but as it took the number over 150 you needed a 4th cabin crew member.

 

[Bald Rick]

Ordering 5-10 years ahead just shows how the budget airlines are chasm from UK rail Operators who often seem to have no idea on what rolling stock they will be allowed to order in few months, let alone years, to keep production lines busy and get competitive build price. But of course DfT prefers expensive short term start-stop plan even though financially poor long term value.

Theres a very well developed, worldwide, market for aircraft including for thise yet to be built. EZY know that if something happens where they dont need these aircraft orders, they will be able to sell them (the. orders) and not lose much if any cash. Imagine trying to do that with a Class 197.

 

[YorkRailFan]

* I seem to recall that the 319 added just 7 seats - one row and the "missing seat" from the exit row - but as it took the number over 150 you needed a 4th cabin crew member.

Easyjet has 156 seats on their A319s I believe.

 

[Snow1964]

I always thought it odd that Sleasy went for the 319. Sure it was the same size as the smaller B737 Classic that formerly made up their fleet, but Ryanair had already proven that the larger aircraft have better economics because you can add a lot more* extra passengers for your 4th cabin crew member (and having 4 rather than 3 as per their old B737s makes the trolley more effective).

* I seem to recall that the 319 added just 7 seats - one row and the "missing seat" from the exit row - but as it took the number over 150 you needed a 4th cabin crew member.

Few A319neo have ever been sold, many of the earlier orders were converted to bigger planes.

Think it is something like 5 for Tibet (built but possibly not yet in service, 5-7 for Chinese airlines, 8-12 for private corporate or charter, and around 40 ordered by LeaseCos with undisclosed customers. Something like 65-70 orders in total.

Airbus doesn't really need it since it took over the new Bombardier plane, which it rebadged A220. The slimmer cabin (3+2 inside) saves fuel over the A319

From memory there are a few airports in EasyJet network that cannot take A321 (due to short runways or altitude), and might not even be able to take a A320 (except with restricted payload, less passengers or fuel), but possibly they are so few that easier to just not sell some seats rather than have specific smaller type for routes to the restricted airports.

 

[YorkRailFan]

Few A319neo have ever been sold, many of the earlier orders were converted to bigger planes.

Think it is something like 5 for Tibet (built but possibly not yet in service, 5-7 for Chinese airlines, 8-12 for private corporate or charter, and around 40 ordered by LeaseCos with undisclosed customers. Something like 65-70 orders in total.

Airbus doesn't really need it since it took over the new Bombardier plane, which it rebadged A220. The slimmer cabin (3+2 inside) saves fuel over the A319

From memory there are a few airports in EasyJet network that cannot take A321 (due to short runways or altitude), and might not even be able to take a A320 (except with restricted payload, less passengers or fuel), but possibly they are so few that easier to just not sell some seats rather than have specific smaller type for routes to the restricted airports.

Additionally, Spirit upgraded their 30 or so A319neos to A321neos.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Given that easyJet don't just focus on taking people to the Sun or the snow and have a significant amount of resource committed to UK or EU short distance domestic or semi-domestic travel, this speaks volumes about how they see themselves in a decade or so in terms of competition with Rail. I fly less these days but that's due to my proximity to an airport, a self-impose compromise based on other factors in life but flight is still my preferred method of transport when doing long distance within the UK

 

[Tetchytyke]

seem to recall that the 319 added just 7 seats - one row and the "missing seat" from the exit row - but as it took the number over 150 you needed a 4th cabin crew member

They took the last row out immediately after Covid, too, to lose the requirement for the 4th cabin crew member. I’m honestly surprised they put that row back in.

I doubt Airbus mind very much if they don’t sell (m)any A319neo aircraft, they have now got the A220 in their arsenal.

 

[Bletchleyite]

They took the last row out immediately after Covid, too, to lose the requirement for the 4th cabin crew member. I’m honestly surprised they put that row back in.

I was surprised they put it in to start with. Just seven additional passengers compared to the B737-300 required an additional member of crew which costs a load of money, and I seem to recall that also required them to specify a non-standard fuselage with a second exit row, too.

The 737-300s were 149 passengers for a very good reason. If you're going to go to 150 or above thus requiring the extra crew member, you might as well go to 190-odd and make use of the extra cost.

I doubt Airbus mind very much if they don’t sell (m)any A319neo aircraft, they have now got the A220 in their arsenal.

I suspect they'd rather sell 320s and 321s than 319s anyway, they cost more.

 

[cactustwirly]

I was surprised they put it in to start with. Just seven additional passengers compared to the B737-300 required an additional member of crew which costs a load of money, and I seem to recall that also required them to specify a non-standard fuselage with a second exit row, too.

The 737-300s were 149 passengers for a very good reason. If you're going to go to 150 or above thus requiring the extra crew member, you might as well go to 190-odd and make use of the extra cost.



I suspect they'd rather sell 320s and 321s than 319s anyway, they cost more.

They are lighter so less fuel burn compared to a A320Ceo.
An A320Neo costs the same to run as a A319 in terms of fuel, and the extra seats are extra revenue.

If it was that much of an issue then they would be operating in a 144 seat configuration

 

[Cloud Strife]

I always thought it odd that Sleasy went for the 319.

Yeah, it was a strange decision at the time. I remember it well, and the speculation was that Airbus had offered Easyjet a deal that they couldn't refuse. Ryanair were still flying around (mostly) the 737-200 at the time with 130 seats, and the 737-800 order was still a massive gamble for them. It paid off incredibly well for Ryanair, but Easyjet could be forgiven for going with the A319s as it really wasn't clear that the LLCs would be able to sell so many seats.

Few A319neo have ever been sold, many of the earlier orders were converted to bigger planes.

Hard to see the purpose in the A319neo now, especially with the huge backlogs for the A3xxneo family while the A220 is still available relatively quickly.

 

[Speed43125]

Yeah, it was a strange decision at the time. I remember it well, and the speculation was that Airbus had offered Easyjet a deal that they couldn't refuse. Ryanair were still flying around (mostly) the 737-200 at the time with 130 seats, and the 737-800 order was still a massive gamble for them. It paid off incredibly well for Ryanair, but Easyjet could be forgiven for going with the A319s as it really wasn't clear that the LLCs would be able to sell so many seats.

At the time LCC's globally had standardised seemingly on the 737-300/700 size a la Southwest, it's really Ryanair that was the outlier in being ambitious with future growth potential. EasyJet had a coupe of A321s at one point about a decade ago as well, but returned those to the lessors.
Today, the structural weight penalty in the shorter frame versions of aircraft such as the A320 family have begun to play a greater role in decision making on aircraft acquisition.

 

[Cloud Strife]

EasyJet had a coupe of A321s at one point about a decade ago as well, but returned those to the lessors.

If I remember rightly, didn't the A321s come from GB Airways? I seem to remember that they didn't really have a use for them, especially as the Easyjet A320 was perfectly capable of operating the same missions as GB Airways operated with the A321.

Still, it is surprising that Easyjet didn't embrace the A321 earlier, especially as they were perfectly capable of packing out the A321 on holiday flights. Interestingly, I found their 2008 financial report, and it says strongly that Easyjet need to focus on cash flow as opposed to passenger numbers, which perhaps explains why they weren't very keen on keeping the A321s around.

 

[Speed43125]

If I remember rightly, didn't the A321s come from GB Airways? I seem to remember that they didn't really have a use for them, especially as the Easyjet A320 was perfectly capable of operating the same missions as GB Airways operated with the A321.

Still, it is surprising that Easyjet didn't embrace the A321 earlier, especially as they were perfectly capable of packing out the A321 on holiday flights. Interestingly, I found their 2008 financial report, and it says strongly that Easyjet need to focus on cash flow as opposed to passenger numbers, which perhaps explains why they weren't very keen on keeping the A321s around.

Which I believe is roughly what Stelios was saying on the back of the pandemic - which incidentally is why they're now so late to the party on a major narrow body order.

 

[ExRes]

I'm sure there's probably another thread covering this, but fossil burning aircraft are being built for delivery in 2034 with the general purpose of flying people all over the place to dip their toes in the sand and sea in the likes of Ibiza? where does saving the planet come into this or is that just the bit where you drive an electric car to the airport?

 

[RailWonderer]

I'm sure there's probably another thread covering this, but fossil burning aircraft are being built for delivery in 2034 with the general purpose of flying people all over the place to dip their toes in the sand and sea in the likes of Ibiza? where does saving the planet come into this or is that just the bit where you drive an electric car to the airport?

More airlines are trialling biofuels to power their aircraft, and Oslo airport is as well. I was on BA's A320, callsign G-TTNA which is in their Better World livery and runs on sustainable biofuel. Some new aircraft are 30% more fuel efficient like the A350s with RR turbofans. being realistic, flying will not be reducing anytime soon with mass tourism and the fact rail will not be getting any faster on the whole. Net zero is really about reducing emissions as much as possible because it's a bit silly and misguided to think you can get rid of emissions entirely.

 

[cactustwirly]

If I remember rightly, didn't the A321s come from GB Airways? I seem to remember that they didn't really have a use for them, especially as the Easyjet A320 was perfectly capable of operating the same missions as GB Airways operated with the A321.

Still, it is surprising that Easyjet didn't embrace the A321 earlier, especially as they were perfectly capable of packing out the A321 on holiday flights. Interestingly, I found their 2008 financial report, and it says strongly that Easyjet need to focus on cash flow as opposed to passenger numbers, which perhaps explains why they weren't very keen on keeping the A321s around.

The GB airways fleet had the wrong engines, being a BA franchise they were built to BA spec so were fitted with IAE engines.

easyJet use CFM engines so the whole GB fleet was non standard and was sold off. BA bought 2 A320 aircraft G-TTOB and OE, which are still operating with them

 

[Bald Rick]

I was on BA's A320, callsign G-TTNA which is in their Better World livery and runs on sustainable biofuel.

Not sure where yiu get that idea from. BA bought a batch of biofuel which has to be blended with regular Jet A1, and was used across the fleet. But I’m reasonably sure it wasn’t used only on TTNA.

As the biofuel is somewhat more expensive, airlines are understandably not buying it in bulk.

 

[route101]

Will this push out the A319s?

 

[Snow1964]

Will this push out the A319s?

In few years time

Still got about 55-60 A319s (although handful are parked)

 

[ATrainSpotter]

Appears EasyJet is ordering 157 more planes (subject to Shareholder approval) for delivery 2029-2034


With 35 also of existing order also being changed to larger A321neo, will be end of the smaller A319s

Reported elsewhere the existing 158 planes are 90 (was 125) A320neo, 68 (was 33) A321neo (with 35 upgauge).
The new 157 order is 56 A320neo, 101 A321neo

easyJet plc - Investors - Reports and presentations

corporate.easyjet.com

Ordering 5-10 years ahead just shows how the budget airlines are chasm from UK rail Operators who often seem to have no idea on what rolling stock they will be allowed to order in few months, let alone years, to keep production lines busy and get competitive build price. But of course DfT prefers expensive short term start-stop plan even though financially poor long term value.

Guess they're looking to fly to new places?

 

[cactustwirly]

In few years time

Still got about 55-60 A319s (although handful are parked)

I've seen a few at Kemble

 

[Peter Mugridge]

In few years time

Still got about 55-60 A319s (although handful are parked)

Pretty close; the 2023 Airline Fleets book ( the aircraft equivalent of the Combined Volume ) lists 56, none shown as stored* and five of which had joined the fleet in 2022 although those appear to be all from the United deal which was cancelled, so are re-instatements rather than new to the fleet.

*As of 15th February 2023, the "close" date for the book.

 

[Cloud Strife]

Guess they're looking to fly to new places?

Easyjet still have a lot of potential room to expand, especially in places like WAW where the choice is between Wizz Air and LOT. Easyjet could easily mop up there, especially with business travel to places like Berlin.