MOBILE, AL—Airbus has firmed up orders for 120 A220 aircraft, including 60 for JetBlue and 60 for JetBlue founder David Neeleman's new airline called Moxy. Airbus will produce the planes at a new plant here, with construction beginning this month. The Moxy venture was unveiled at the Farnborough International Airshow in July.

Neeleman sees the A220, formally the Bombardier C Series, as offering maximum flexibility in terms of offering the opportunity to introduce a premium cabin as well as the ability to reach destinations such as Hawaii, Brazil and Portugal from the US Midwest. He has also ordered the bigger A220-300s and expects to receive his first aircraft in 2021.

“The A220-300 is the right airplane for a new airline that will be focused on passenger service and satisfaction,” Neeleman said in the A220 order announcement. With a low cost of operation and spacious cabin, the A220 will allow us to provide passengers with lower fares and a high quality, comfortable flying experience. The A220’s ability to operate profitably in thin, underserved markets across a broad spectrum of ranges is unique”.

JetBlue will add the A220s to its fleet of A320s and A321s. The A220s will also be produced in the Mobile facility, in addition to 85 A21neos the airline currently has on order. JetBlue now has 193 A320 and A321 aircraft.