The A220 is unrelated to the Neo. The Neos are re-engining of the 320 and 330 series (neo stands for "new engine option"): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbus_A320neo_family

And while a plane with good bones, the A220 has not been all positives for Airbus: AFAIK they still loses money on the thing, ramping up has been hell as it's not part of any of Airbus's existing lines of procurement, and it's contributed to the already awkward 319neo being DOA.

The "Neo series" are re-engined A320 series (neo = New Engine Option) and has nothing to do with the A220.

Ah yes, you are right, I meant the A220 though. I've edited the comment, thank you for pointing out my error.

Replacing the 737 MAX with a competitor to the A220? Something does not make sense.

The A220 series' maximum capacity is basically the 737 MAX series' minimum capacity.

The A220 is an absolute treat. Can't put exactly my finger on why, but it just feels right in size, noise, the little screens at the top.

Flown it once or twice with AirBaltic, and would love to take it again.

AirBaltic was my introduction to the series as well and it felt for the first time in 30 years or so that I was in a modern aircraft. The last time before that was in a then brand new 747, which I absolutely loved to fly.

I had the exactly same experience with AirBaltic. It felt so modern!

Here's some anecdotes about it being heavy to maintain:

https://www.reddit.com/r/aviationmaintenance/comments/1colti...

That's an amazing thread, thanks for sharing

Boeing's only answer to the A220 was to get the US administration to impose a 220% import tarif on it. It didn't even compete with Boeing models. Fuck Boeing.

How does such a tariff even work? Can't an airline finance all of its aircraft through an entity in the Maldives or whatever?

Airbus had to move production from Quebec to Georgia (US)

It wasn't Airbus yet, so more like: Bombardier had to sale a controlling stake to Airbus to gain access to its Georgia production facilities.

Why, though? I am just wondering how it takes effect. The carriers often lease the planes from special-purpose entities. If such an entity is based in Liberia, where does the tariff apply?

Alabama not GA

The timing may be right. The A220 is suffering from lousy engines from their supplier. Lots of engine turnover, lots of maintenance needed. Delta just made a huge commit to the A220 made in Mobile to replace their 717 fleet.

Lets hope Boeing can do it right this time.