PW1500G GTF

Overview

The Pratt & Whitney PW1500G is the Geared TurboFan variant developed for the Airbus A220, previously known as the Bombardier CSeries. It is the sole engine available for the A220 family and holds the distinction of being the first GTF engine to enter commercial revenue service — preceding the larger PW1100G on the A320neo by a few weeks. The PW1500G's gearbox-driven fan achieves a bypass ratio of 12:1 in an engine class where competitors typically managed 6:1, contributing to noise levels substantially below Stage 4 requirements.

The engine's acoustic performance is particularly noteworthy. Pratt & Whitney has described the PW1500G as the quietest engine in its thrust class, a characteristic that has made the A220 attractive to airlines seeking to operate at noise-sensitive airports with curfew restrictions. The engine shares its core architecture and gearbox technology with the PW1100G, enabling economies of scale in manufacturing and maintenance across both programmes.

Technical Specifications

Variants

• PW1519G: Lower-thrust variant at 19,000 lbf for the A220-100 in lighter configurations.
• PW1521G: Standard A220-100 variant at 21,000 lbf.
• PW1524G: Higher-thrust variant at 23,300–23,500 lbf for the heavier A220-300, accommodating the stretched fuselage and increased maximum take-off weight.

Aircraft Applications

• Airbus A220-100
• Airbus A220-300

Development History

Pratt & Whitney launched the PW1500G in the context of the Bombardier CSeries programme, which began in the late 2000s. The engine first ran in 2012 and received Transport Canada and FAA certification in 2015 alongside the CSeries aircraft. Swiss International Air Lines placed the CS100 (A220-100) into revenue service in July 2016, making the PW1500G the first Geared TurboFan to operate commercially. When Airbus acquired a majority stake in the CSeries programme in 2018 and rebranded it as the A220, the PW1500G continued as the sole engine choice. The engine has benefited from the same fleet-wide inspection and remediation programme affecting other GTF variants, with Pratt & Whitney addressing powdered metal contamination issues identified in 2023.