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Old Feb 7, 2026 | 5:56 pm
  #2374  
The Lev
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Originally Posted by PLeblond
Not sure. The most cost effective way to build the CS500 would be a simple stretch. Same wings, same engines just add some fuselage either end of the wingbox and more seats. Theoretical range aside (see actual XLR routes versus published range) I highly doubt YUL/YYZ to YVR/SFO/LAX are in the cards without sacrificing loads. If The Emipre are building this jet it's for DL, AF et. al ...not AC; DL & AF have both indicated they don't want/need the range of the CS300 for their purposes.

Most analysis echos this, example here from industry analysis (not a points blogger site) "The trade-off for higher seating density would be a reduction in range compared with the A220-300. Airbus appears to view this as an acceptable compromise, particularly as many operators priortise efficiency on short-to medium-haul routes rather than maximum range capacity."

I'm seeing a real world use case maximum range for a CS500 in the maximum 2k mile range. Which is gravy for DL & AF.
There would likely be a tradeoff off in the order of 250 miles for the simple stretch judging by the difference between the -100 and -300.

For a real-world use case, Air Baltic flies RIX-DXB, which is 2,684 miles without payload restrictions with the -300. Let's lop of 250 miles for a -500 and that leaves you with a "true" range of at least 2,400 miles. That effectively puts all of North America within range from YYZ and all of Canada within range from YUL. YUL - California might be load restricted but as others have pointed out, if that were the case there are plenty of other options for AC in their existing fleet.
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