British Airways has chosen Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan (GTF) engines to power 33 firm and 30 option Airbus A320neo aircraft. The carrier also signed a 12-year EngineWise Comprehensive maintenance agreement ahead of deliveries beginning in 2027.

The engine manufacturer says the order makes British Airways the newest operator in the GTF customer base, joining a global fleet of more than 2,800 GTF-powered aircraft flown by over 90 customers. Pratt & Whitney’s order backlog for the engine now stands at more than 8,000 units.

The 12-year EngineWise® Comprehensive agreement covers maintenance for the engines across the fleet, a structure intended to give British Airways fixed-cost visibility on engine upkeep over the contract term rather than exposure to variable MRO costs.

Rick Deurloo, president of Commercial Engines, Pratt & Whitney, said, “Today marks a pivotal moment and a strong vote of confidence in the GTF engine as the UK’s flagship carrier, British Airways, becomes the newest GTF customer. As the most fuel-efficient choice for the A320neo aircraft, the GTF engine will help British Airways achieve its international fleet expansion goals and enhance the travel experience for passengers.”

Pratt & Whitney also confirmed that the GTF Advantage variant, due to enter service later this year, is designed to offer operators up to twice the time on wing compared with the current GTF, alongside further gains in fuel efficiency and range. Extended time on wing would reduce shop visit frequency for operators, a factor relevant to engine turnaround planning amid continued MRO slot and capacity constraints across the narrowbody sector.

Deliveries of the British Airways A320neo fleet under the new order are expected to begin in 2027.