Algerian flag carrier Air Algérie has updated its Airbus widebody order, opting for the Airbus A330-900neo over the larger A350-1000.
Air Algérie Orders Eight Airbus A330-900neo Jets
As noted by One Mile At A Time, Air Algérie ordered a mix of A330 and A350 aircraft in 2023:
- 2 Airbus A350-1000s
- 5 Airbus A330-900neos
The A350-1000 holds more passengers (exact numbers depend on the configuration) and has a range of about 1,500 nautical miles more than the A330-900 (8,700 versus 7,200).
But Air Algérie has recently updated and simplified its order and will now take:
- 8 Airbus A330-900neos
A single aircraft type makes sense and will augment Air Algérie’s current fleet of A330-200 jets, making it possible for widebody pilots to fly any of Air Algérie’s A330 fleet.
Considering visas are very difficult to obtain for Algeria and Algiers (ALG) is hardly a transit hub for intercontinental travel, the size of the A330-900 also makes more sense to me.
Deliveries will start later this year in 2025 and Air Algérie has not yet indicated whether this is simply a fleet modernization plan or also a fleet expansion plan. The new A330-900neos will be 25% more fuel efficient than the current A330-200s.
Air Algérie is primarily a regional airline, but serves North America (Montreal – YUL) and East Asia (Beijing – PEK) as well as many cities in Europe.
I Have A Soft Spot For Air Algérie
I visited Algeria and flew Air Algérie from Algiers (ALG) to Doha (DOH) on the A330-200 in business class in 2022. It was a mixed experience, with a poor ground product but warm hospitality and a great seat onboard. Having spent only two days in the Algerian captial, there’s a lot I missed in a country 25% larger than Alaska in terms of land mass.
I’m hopeful Air Algérie will use a leading business class seat on its new jets.
You can read about my Air Algérie trip and time in Algeria here:
Would you visit Algeria or fly Air Algérie?
image: Airbus
Will AH be serving Tajine El Zitoune accompanied by fresh Mahdjouba?
Inshallah
The A35K is a lot of airplane, and I’ll wager they figured-out that it might have been too much airplane for them right now. It’s a sensible decision, rather than racing ahead with an expensive vanity project that ultimately costs them money.