Abstract: A flow directing element, such as a vane for a turbine engine compressor, has a variable chord to improve compressor surge margin without compromising compressor efficiency. The vane has an airfoil section (70) with a leading edge (80), a trailing edge (82), a root (84) and a tip (88). The chord of the airfoil generally increases from a first value at the root to a second larger value at a part span location (110) intermediate the root and the tip so that when the airfoil is installed in a compressor, the location of the trailing edge becomes closer to the compressor discharge as the spanwise distance from the root increases. The chord is generally constant from the part span location to the tip.