Airbus is quietly testing the market for a bigger A220 - and this one could become uncomfortable for both Boeing and Airbus itself.

Industry sources cited by Reuters say Airbus is sounding out airlines and lessors on a stretched A220-500, a version that would seat around 180 passengers. That puts it straight into the heart of territory currently owned by the A320neo and 737-8, but with a lighter airframe and lower trip costs.

This isn't just theory. Airbus Commercial Aircraft CEO Christian Scherer has already spoken positively about the idea, and lessor Avolon has confirmed that multiple new aircraft programs - including an A220 stretch - are under active evaluation. If the feedback lines up, a formal launch decision could come as early as Farnborough in July.

Why this matters: the A220 already has a reputation for efficiency on thinner routes. A -500 variant would let airlines carry narrowbody-level passenger numbers without stepping up to a heavier jet, potentially reshaping fleet planning for the next decade. It would also place Airbus in the unusual position of competing with its own A320 family - something Boeing can't really counter right now at the lower end of the market.

The A220 is currently flown by Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, airBaltic, Air France, and Breeze Airways, with production split between Canada and the United States. A larger version would give those operators growth without a type change - and give Airbus another lever in the single-aisle war.

If launched, the A220-500 wouldn't just be a stretch. It would be a direct challenge to how airlines decide what "small" and "standard" narrowbody really means.

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* Origin: AVIATION ECHO HQ (2:292/854)