Northwest builds A330 fleet with new order

Northwest Airlines has placed a firm order for eight A330s, including two A330-200s and six A330-300s. Like the existing A330s in Northwest’s fleet, the new A330-200s will seat 243 passengers in a two-class configuration and the A330-300s will accommodate 298 passengers in two classes. Both versions of the Northwest A330s will be powered by Pratt & Whitney PW4000 series engines.
In terms of the number of firm orders for Airbus aircraft, this new contract makes Northwest the number one airline customer for Airbus in North America, and the second largest airline customer in the world
“This new order underlines the fact that the A330 has proven itself unrivaled in its class in terms of economics and comfort,” said Noël Forgeard, Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer. “Northwest recognizes that the Airbus product equals promises delivered – their promises to their passengers and our promises to our airline customers.”
Northwest’s history with Airbus is quite notable. It became in 1989 the first North American operator of the A320 – just one year after the aircraft type entered service. Northwest currently operates a fleet of 150 A320 Family aircraft, among the largest A320 Family fleets in the world. Northwest was also the first U.S. carrier to operate the A330-200. It currently flies 15 A330s.
A leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain as well as subsidiaries in the U.S., China and Japan. Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE Systems.



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