The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has certified the Pratt & Whitney GTF Advantage engine to power Airbus A20neo family aircraft, paving the way for production engine deliveries.
On April 17, 2026, Pratt & Whitney owners RTX confirmed that, following Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification in February 2025 and EASA validating the engine’s type certification in October 2025, the GTF Advantage was now ready to enter commercial service.
“The GTF engine delivers the lowest fuel consumption for single-aisle aircraft,” said Rick Deurloo, president of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney. “The GTF Advantage engine extends that lead—offering up to double the time on wing and enhancing aircraft capability—providing even greater value to operators of A320neo family aircraft. This aircraft certification is a key milestone for the GTF Advantage program in advance of its entry into service.”
Pratt & Whitney has highlighted the GTF Advantage engine’s capability to deliver 4-8% more takeoff thrust, enabling higher payload and longer range while unlocking new destinations for airlines.
A spokesperson added: “Fully intermixable and interchangeable with today’s GTF engine model, GTF Advantage will become the production standard, with full cutover expected in 2028.”
Pratt & Whitney previously said that the GTF Advantage engine features the “most state-of-the-art hot section in the single-aisle market”.
Customers operating the current GTF engine model will be able to realize up to 90-95% of the GTF Advantage’s durability benefits with the GTF Hot Section Plus (HS+) upgrade option for the PW1100G-JM engine.
The upgrade modification will be available later in 2026, for incorporation during maintenance visits.
Pratt & Whitney introduced the Hot Section Plus (HS+) upgrade option, derived from GTF Advantage technology, at the Paris Air Show in June 2025.