Airbus A320neo family

A320neo family
A319neo/A320neo/A321neo
A twin-engined jet aircraft with distinctive winglets, in blue and white livery, against a blue sky
An Airbus A320neo of IndiGo
General information
RoleNarrow-body airliner
National originMulti-national
ManufacturerAirbus
StatusIn service
Primary usersIndiGo
Number built3,607 as of October 2024[1]
History
Manufactured2012–present[2]
Introduction date25 January 2016 with Lufthansa[3]
First flightSeptember 25, 2014; 10 years ago (2014-09-25)
Developed fromAirbus A320ceo family
Variants

The Airbus A320neo family is an incremental development of the A320 family of narrow-body airliners produced by Airbus. The A320neo family (neo being Greek for "new", as well as an acronym for "new engine option") is based on the enhanced variant of the previous generation A319, A320, and A321, which was then retrospectively renamed the A320ceo family (ceo acronym for "current engine option").

Re-engined with CFM International LEAP or Pratt & Whitney PW1000G engines and fitted with sharklets wingtip devices as standard, the A320neo is 15% to 20% more fuel efficient than prior models, the A320ceo. It was launched on 1 December 2010, made its first flight on 25 September 2014 and was introduced by Lufthansa on 25 January 2016.

By 2019, the A320neo had a 60% market share against the competing Boeing 737 MAX. As of October 2024, a total of 10,888 A320neo family aircraft had been ordered by more than 130 customers, of which 3,607 aircraft had been delivered. The global A320neo fleet had completed more than 7.35 million flights over 14.67 million block hours with one hull loss being an airport-safety related accident.

Development

[edit]
The wing sharklet of an A320neo aircraft. These sharklets are also optional add-ons for the classic A320 family.

In 2006 Airbus started the A320 Enhanced (A320E) programme as a series of improvements targeting a 4–5% efficiency gain with large winglets (2%), aerodynamic refinements (1%), weight savings and a new aircraft cabin. At the time Airbus' Sales Chief John Leahy said: "Who's going to roll over a fleet to a new generation aircraft for 5% better than an A320 today? Especially if another 10% improvement might be coming in the second half of the next decade based on new engine technology".[4]

Airbus launched the sharklet blended wingtip device during the November 2009 Dubai Airshow. The installation adds 200 kilograms (440 lb) but offers a 3.5% fuel burn reduction on flights over 2,800 km (1,500 nmi; 1,700 mi).[5]

New Engine Option

[edit]

Compared to the re-engine improvement of 15%, an all-new single-aisle would have brought only 3% more gain while high volume manufacturing in carbon fibre could be much more expensive.[6]

Airbus planned to offer two engine choices, the CFM International LEAP-1A and the Pratt & Whitney GTF (PW1100G), with 20% lower maintenance cost than current A320 engines. The new engines burn 16% less fuel, though the actual gain is slightly less as 1–2% is typically lost when installed on an existing aircraft.[7]

At the February 2010 Singapore Air Show, Airbus said its decision to launch was scheduled for the July 2010 Farnborough Air Show.[8] On 1 December 2010, Airbus launched the A320neo "New Engine Option" with 500 nmi (930 km; 580 mi) more range or 2 t (4,400 lb) more payload, and planned to deliver 4,000 over 15 years.[9]

Development costs were predicted to be "slightly more than €1 billion [$1.3 billion]". The neo list price would be $6 million more than the ceo, including $3.5 million for airframe modifications and around $0.9 million for the sharklets. The A320neo was slated for service entry in spring 2016, the A321neo six months later and the A319neo six months after that.[10]

An A321neo prototype with the original exit configuration of four door pairs

The 2010 order for 40 Bombardier CS300s (now known as Airbus A220-300) and 40 options from Republic Airways Holdings – then owner of exclusive A319/320 operator Frontier Airlines – pushed Airbus into the re-engine. Airbus COO-customers John Leahy decided against ignoring the CSeries and allowing it to grow, as Boeing had previously done with Airbus, and instead aggressively competed against Bombardier Aerospace.[11]

Introduction was then advanced to October 2015.[12] Airbus claims a 15% fuel saving and "over 95 percent airframe commonality with the current A320".[13] Its commonality helped to reduce delays associated with large changes.[14] In March 2013, airlines' choices between the two engines were almost equal.[15]

The new "Space-Flex" optional cabin configuration increases space-efficiency with a new rear galley configuration and a "Smart-Lav" modular lavatory design – allowing an in-flight change of two lavatories into one accessible toilet.[16] The "Cabin-Flex" configuration for the A321neo allows up to 20 more passengers without "putting more sardines in the can" by rearranging the door layout of the aircraft.[17] Total fuel consumption per seat is reduced by over 20%, while the rearranged cabin allows up to nine more passengers for the A320neo.[18]

The first Airbus A320neo rolled out of the Toulouse factory on 1 July 2014 and first flight was scheduled for September 2014.[19]

Flight testing

[edit]
Celebrating the 25 September 2014 first flight with flags from the cockpit

The first flight of the neo occurred on 25 September 2014.[20] Its Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM geared turbofan ('GTF') engine was certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on 19 December 2014.[21] After 36 months, the A320neo and A321neo had flown around 4,000 hours for certification of the two powerplant versions.[22] This is about three-quarters of the certification effort of a new design.[23]

Of these 4,000 hours flown, 2,250 were with PW GTFs and 1,770 with CFM LEAPs. The flight test programme was to conclude in 2018 with the completion of A319neo testing. The changes impact flying qualities, performance and system integration; they entailed retuning the fly-by-wire controls and meeting type certification requirements which have evolved since 1988, and helped decrease the minimum V speeds. The neo is 1.8 t heavier than the ceo, but take-off and landing performance is the same with a modified rotation law, adjusted wing flap and wing slat angles and rudder deflection increased by 5° to cope with the higher thrust.[24]

The A320neo is half as loud as an A320 at take-off, with an 85-decibel noise footprint.[25] The LEAP-powered A321neo has 83.3 dB flyover noise, substantially lower than the older CFM56 and V2500.[26]

Entry into service

[edit]

The first delivery of the aircraft slipped slightly,[27] Lufthansa taking delivery of the first A320neo on 20 January 2016[28] and deploying it on its first commercial flight from Frankfurt to Munich on 25 January 2016.[29] Two hundred deliveries were targeted in 2017, but as Pratt & Whitney faced ramp-up difficulties, Airbus expected that thirty aircraft would be parked awaiting engines.

Production

[edit]
Qatar Airways A320neos waiting for their engines

The fourth and latest final assembly line in Hamburg was to open in July 2017; 60 A320s should be produced monthly from 2019.[30] With 90 A320neos delivered by October 2017, Airbus acknowledged that it would not attain the 200 target, even with many deliveries in the fourth quarter. More than 40 A320neos were parked without engines, but with most of the engine issues resolved by early 2018, more than half of the A320s delivered in 2018 were expected to be neos.[31] Airbus expected to produce 60 narrow-bodies per month by the middle of 2019 and studied higher rates.[32] Airbus confirmed plans to reach 63 monthly from 55 in 2018 and study 70 to 75 monthly beyond 2019, though Safran, one of the two partners in LEAP producer CFM, could not commit to higher volumes.[33]

In February 2018, after in-flight failures of the PW1100G with its high pressure compressor aft hub modified, apparently caused by problems with its knife edge seal, European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Airbus grounded some A320neo family aircraft until they were fitted with spares.[34] As of February 2018, P&W engines had flown 500,000 hours since introduction and 113 P&W-powered A320neo family aircraft were operated by eight customers.[34] Airbus then stopped accepting PW1100G engines.[35]

Deliveries of GTF-powered A320neos resumed in May after Pratt returned to the original design seal as a quick fix.[36] By the end of June, Airbus expected to have around 100 A320neos awaiting engines and aimed to deliver most of them in the second half of the year, for a total of over 800 aircraft handed over in 2018.[36] In the first five months of 2018, 69 had been delivered: 40% of all single-aisles, and almost 80% with CFM LEAP engines, but the 22 delivered in May were equally split between the two power plants.[37]

After the three-month halt, the goal of 210 GTF-powered deliveries in 2018 was expected to be missed by 30–40 unless Pratt could accelerate production, exposing itself and Airbus to late penalties.[38] Airbus COO Guillaume Faury aimed to do away with "gliders", i.e. airframes without engines, by the end of 2018. Bernstein Research had forecast 50 fewer deliveries than planned and expected a return to normal by 2019.[38] Delivery targets could still be met with other engine options (neo or ceo), as 210 Leap-powered jets were planned.[38] After having peaked above 100, the number of aircraft parked awaiting their turbofans declined to 86 by the end of June.[39] The 500th A320neo family aircraft was delivered in October 2018.[40]

In July 2019, with the A321neo accounting for 40% of sales, Airbus was examining options for allocating more production capacity to the stretched variant. It acknowledged that ramping up production of the popular Airbus Cabin Flex configuration was proving challenging.[41] At this time in 2019, all A321s were assembled in Hamburg; one option under consideration would be to repurpose the A380 assembly line in Toulouse.[42] In the first half of 2019, Airbus delivered 294 A320/A320neo-family aircraft, of which 71 were A321neos and 163 were A320neos[1] (i.e. A321neos accounted for 30% of neo deliveries).

In January 2020, Airbus confirmed that the A380 assembly line is to be converted to a "digitally enabled" final assembly facility for the A321neo by mid-2022,[43] because of unprecedented demand, in particular for the A321 LR and XLR variants.[44] In February, it indicated that it had a clear path to increasing production rates beyond the 63 per month targeted for 2021, to reach 65 or 67 by 2023.[45] In April, Airbus reduced the average production rate to 40 per month due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on aviation from 2020.[46]

In February 2021 Airbus set up a separate production line in Hamburg for A321XLR aft fuselage work, in a facility formerly used to assemble fuselage sections for the A380. The goal is to enable production of the XLR-specific aft fuselage to ramp up gradually without affecting other A320neo-family production output. Other A321XLR sections are to be produced at numerous sites: the centre wing box at Airbus's Nantes facility, the rear centre tank at Premium Aerotec in Augsburg, the nose and forward fuselage built at Stelia Aerospace in Toulouse then assembled in Saint-Nazaire, and the wings at Airbus Broughton in cooperation with Spirit Aerosystems and FACC [de] which provide high-lift devices.[47]

In May 2021, Airbus targeted a production rate of 45 per month by the end of 2021, 64 by the second quarter of 2023, asked its supply chain to allow a rate of 70 from the first quarter of 2024 and is looking for 75 by 2025.[48]

In July 2023, Airbus inaugurated a new final assembly line dedicated to the A320neo family, in the Jean-Luc Lagardère factory in Toulouse-Blagnac previously used by the A380 assembly line (stopped in 2020). For now it will produce only the A321neo which has a high demand. [49] Once this new line will be fully operational, Airbus is considering to close one of the two current older lines producing the A320ceo, to open a second A320neo family line in the same factory which is large enough.[50]

Replacement airliner

[edit]

By November 2018, Airbus was hiring in Toulouse and Madrid to develop a clean sheet successor for the A320.[51] Although its launch was not guaranteed, it was expected to arrive from the middle of the following decade, after the A321XLR and a stretched A320neo "plus", and would have competed with the Boeing NMA that was, at the time, expected to be launched as early as 2019.[51] Service entry would be determined by ultra-high bypass ratio engine developments pursued by Pratt & Whitney, testing its Geared Turbofan upgrade; Safran, ground testing a demonstrator from 2021; and Rolls-Royce Plc, targeting a 2025 Ultrafan service entry.[51] The production target is a monthly rate of 100 narrow-bodies, up from 60.[51]

At the November 2019 Dubai Airshow, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury said the company was considering the launch of a single-aisle programme in the second half of the 2020s for an introduction in the early 2030s.[52] In June 2023, Faury said work had begun on eAction, a 20-25% more efficient successor to the A320neo family targeted for a 2035-2040 introduction and more conventional compared to the Airbus ZEROe hydrogen project.[53] At a Civil Aviation Research Council (CORAC) meeting in December 2023, the French government committed €300 million ($330 million) per year to support research and development from 2024 to 2027, including for the CFM RISE open fan demonstrator, while support for hydrogen or electric propulsion receives €65 million.[53] In February 2024, Faury confirmed that the successor aircraft, dubbed Next-Generation Single-Aisle (NGSA), would be designed specifically to run on sustainable aviation fuel to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.[54]

Composite wing

[edit]

In 2015, Airbus started a new wing project,[55] named Wing of Tomorrow (WoT),[56] announced as the "Wing of the future" programme in 2016.[57][58] A new $1–2 billion carbon-composite wing could be used in the A321neo-plus-plus, compared to $15 billion for a completely new design.[59] The new wing is made from composite material.[60] It is first seen as an upgrade to the existing, mostly metal A320 family wing, which was already upgraded many times.[55] Airbus has already composite wings on the A350, but this will be an enhanced, new design with highly automated manufacturing suitable for inexpensive high-volume production.[61] Announced in January 2016, a €44.8 million facility was built in Filton, with 300 engineers.[57] The new wing design and tests take place in this Filton facility.[58] Other Airbus locations in the UK, France, Spain and Germany are working with 30 partners on this wing project.[62]

In May 2021, Airbus announced that for improved aerodynamic performance the wing will be longer and thinner with folding wingtips to access existing airport gates.[55] By May 2021, assembly of the first demonstrator was to start in the coming weeks, as the project should be completed by 2023 before an eventual product launch.[55] A “radical” A320 makeover is expected to cost over 4 billion euros ($4.9 billion, £3.7 billion), significantly less than the estimates of $15 billion to $20 billion for an all-new Boeing design.[55](£11 billion to £15 billion). Due to the increased length and increased lift, the new wings could also be used on an Airbus A322, an A321 lengthened by 4 passenger seat-rows, being studied by Airbus.[55][63]

The current A320neo family wingspan of 36m with an aspect-ratio of 9 will be extended by ground-folding wingtips to 45m with an aspect-ratio of 14.[56] Additional semi-aeroelastic hinges could lead to 52m wingspan with an aspect-ratio of 18, still fitting in a standard 36m airport gate.[56] In September 2021, Airbus announced starting the assembly of in total 3 full-size "Wing of Tomorrow" prototypes.[64] The first prototype was completed in December 2021.[65] The flapping wing section flight tests are targeted to begin in late 2023.[66] In June 2023, GKN Aerospace announced a further progress by delivering the first fixed trailing edge for the “Wing of Tomorrow”.[67][68] It is manufactured in a high-rate low-cost resin transfer moulding out of autoclave composite process, which supports the targeted low-cost of Airbus by avoiding an autoclave.[61][69]

Operational history

[edit]
Lufthansa confirms the 16% fuel savings but temporarily blocked the last seating row due to centre-of-gravity concerns

By January 2019, three years after its introduction, 585 neos were in commercial service with over 60 operators, led by IndiGo (87), Frontier Airlines (33) and China Southern (26). Lufthansa confirms the PW 16% fuel savings, 21% per seat with denser 180-seat layout up from 168, while Avianca states its LEAPs are 15–20% more efficient, quieter, reduce oil consumption and routine maintenance. Starting both GTFs initially took 6–7 min up from the A320ceo's 2 min, improving to 2–3 min by late 2017, still longer than the ceo. LEAP production bottlenecks led to early delivery delays, with no significant repercussions at Avianca or AirAsia; AirAsia's dispatch reliability is comparable to its ceos.[70]

On 30 November 2021, two years after receiving the 1,000th member of the A320neo family, IndiGo took delivery of the 2,000th, an A321neo (MSN 10654) at Airbus Hamburg site.[citation needed]

As of March 2024, the global A320neo fleet had completed more than 7.35 million flights over 14.67 million block hours since its entry into service and had been contributing to 20 million tons of CO2 saving.[71]

Engine and dispatch reliability

[edit]

Engine vibration affects one GTF in 50, leading to premature replacement, but spare engine pools compete with new production: at Lufthansa, dispatch reliability has remained stagnant since service entry and is below its 99.8% goal, with a utilization rate 20% below its ceos. P&W cites a 99.91% dispatch reliability for GTF-powered neos, higher than other new engine introductions, while Airbus reports a 99.6% dispatch reliability. With engine deliveries resuming, there were expected to be fewer than 10 engine-less neos at the end of 2018; Airbus is on track to reach its target rate of 60 deliveries per month by mid-2019. Of the 6,362 orders, 2,456 are for CFM LEAP engines (38.6%), 1,869 for Pratt & Whitney GTFs (29.4%), and 2,037 for an as-yet unspecified engine choice (32%).[70] By 30 June 2019, Safran claimed the Leap has a 61% market share on the A320neo family, with 44 airlines operating 454 Leap powered aircraft having accumulated 3.3 million flight hours.[72] In early 2022, 57% of in service A320neos were fitted with Leap engines, and 43% with PW1100G engines.[73]

Flight control software update

[edit]

In July 2019, Airbus disclosed two outwardly similar, though separate, issues which could result in excessive pitch up behaviour, one affecting the A320neo and the other the A321neo. Both issues were detected during analysis and laboratory testing, and have not been encountered in actual operation. Airbus has addressed the issues through temporary revisions to the flight manual, including loading recommendations and a change to the centre-of-gravity envelope, and expected to release updated flight control software in 2020.[74][75] As Lufthansa waited for the 2020 flight software update, it blocked the last row of its aft-heavy layout of 180, offering only 174 seats.[76]

Military conversion

[edit]

In 2018, Airbus explored the possibility of military versions, for VIP transport, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and maritime patrol for the armed forces of France, Germany and the Netherlands; or Asia-Pacific nations such as Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, and the Philippines. Such conversions would be possible within a six-to-eight-month timescale.[77]

Variants

[edit]

Airbus offers three variants of the A320neo family: the A319, A320 and A321. A neo variant for the Airbus A318 was not proposed but could be developed should demand arise.[78]

A319neo

[edit]
An A319neo prototype in flight.

The shortened-fuselage variant can seat up to 160 passengers or 140 in two classes, with a range of up to 3,750 nmi (6,940 km; 4,320 mi) and improved takeoff performance, while its ACJ derivative can fly eight passengers 6,750 nmi (12,500 km; 7,770 mi) or 15 hours.[79]

Qatar Airways was set to be launch customer but upgraded its order to the larger A320neo in late 2013,[80] with no new launch operator named since then. Spirit later ordered 47 new A319neo aircraft.[citation needed]

The A319neo made its first flight on 31 March 2017, powered by CFM LEAP engines.[81] After 500 flight hours, the LEAP-powered A319neo achieved FAA/EASA Type Certification by 21 December 2018, allowing it to enter service in the first half of 2019.[79] At the time 53 aircraft had been ordered, including 17 with Leap engines: 12 for Avianca, four for an unconfirmed Chinese operator (later known as China Southern Airlines, which became the launch operator), and one ACJ319neo; and 36 with no engine selection: eight for Avianca, 26 for unannounced customers, and two ACJ319neos.[82] As of December 2018, certification of the PW1100G-powered version was planned for the end of 2019, with the same test aircraft to be converted during the first quarter and undergo 200 hours of flight testing.[83] In 2018, an A319neo list price was US$101.5 million.[84]

Interest in the variant has been low, and in January 2019 the A319neo's order backlog was only a fraction of that of the A220, following confirmation of orders from jetBlue and Breeze Airways for 60 A220s each.[85] Also in January 2019, Airbus confirmed that it has no plans to discontinue the A319neo programme, although it expects fewer orders due to competition with the A220-300 .[86]

The Pratt & Whitney-powered variant made its maiden flight on 25 April 2019.[87] It gained EASA type certification by the end of November 2019, after 90 sorties over 240 h.[88]

As of May 2021, six ACJ319neo aircraft had been ordered.[89] On 18 February 2022, China Southern Airlines received the first of its order of four A319neo with CFM LEAP engines.[90]

A320neo

[edit]
An Airbus A320neo prototype
Lufthansa was the first to fly the A320neo in early 2016
Timeline

The first A320neo rolled out of the Airbus factory in Toulouse on 1 July 2014.[91] It first flew on 25 September 2014.[92] A joint type certification from EASA and the FAA was received on 24 November 2015.[93] Nearly 28 years after the first A320, on 25 January 2016, the A320neo entered service with Lufthansa, the type's launch customer.[3] It has a range of 6,300 km (3,400 nmi; 3,900 mi).[94]

Reliability

Six months later at Farnborough Airshow, John Leahy reported that the eight in-service aircraft had achieved 99.7% dispatch reliability.[95] By the end of February 2017, 28,105 scheduled flights had been performed by 71 A320neo aircraft with 134 cancellations for a 99.5% completion rate.[96] Spirit Airlines reported PW1000G engine issues on four of its A320neos and did not fly them above 30,000 ft (9,100 m) because the bleed air system froze shut on occasion due to cold temperatures; the same problem was reported by IndiGo.[97]

Efficiency

After a year in service, Lufthansa confirmed the 20% efficiency gain per passenger with up to 180 seats, along with reduced noise and CO2 emissions.[25] Operators confirm the 15% per seat fuel-burn savings even counterbalanced by the added weight on short sectors, which can rise to 16–17% on longer routes and to 20% or more for Lufthansa with 180 passengers up from 168 with two more seat rows.[98]

Deliveries

By March 2017, 88 A320neos had been delivered to 20 airlines, 49 with the PW1000G and 39 with the CFM LEAP-1A, and the fleet had accumulated more than 57,600 flight hours and 37,500 cycles (1.5 h average); over 142 routes the average stage length is 900 nmi (1,700 km; 1,000 mi) and like the A320ceo the neo flies an average of 8.4 block hours and up to 10 cycles a day with Lufthansa operating 45 min sectors from Frankfurt to Hamburg or Munich, up to China Southern Airlines flying close to 6 hr sectors. Airbus planned to deliver about 200 A320neos in 2017.[98] In 2018, new A320neos have a $49 million value, rising by 1–2% per year, and are leased for $330,000-350,000 per month (0.67-0.71%) due to intense lessor competition and low financing costs, while a recent A320ceo is leased for $300,000.[99] In 2018, an A320neo list price was US$110.6 million.[84]

Military A320M3A

In July 2018, Airbus was evaluating an A320neo variant for ISR missions, particularly maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare, and military transport. The aircraft will be able to take roll-on/roll-off mission payloads to carry passengers, troops, VIPs, patients, or cargo. The aircraft could be fitted with a weapons bay, a self-protection system, or a magnetic anomaly detector and could be configured for signals intelligence or Airborne Early Warning and Control.[100]

A321neo

[edit]
Virgin America received the first A321neo and put it into service in May 2017.

The A321neo has the same length as the original A321ceo, but includes structural strengthening in the landing gear and wing, increased wing loading and other minor modifications due to higher Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW).

Its first customer was ILFC.[101] The Airbus A321neo prototype, D-AVXB, first flew on 9 February 2016.[102] It suffered a tailstrike three days later and was flown to Toulouse for repairs, delaying the certification programme for several weeks.[103]

It received its type certification with Pratt & Whitney engines on 15 December 2016,[104] and simultaneous EASA and FAA certification for the CFM Leap powered variant on 1 March 2017.[105] The first A321neo, leased by GECAS, was delivered in Hamburg to Virgin America, configured with 184 seats and LEAP engines, and entered service in May 2017.[106]

A321LR

[edit]
Arkia received the first A321LR on 13 November 2018.

In October 2014, Airbus started marketing a longer range 97 t (214,000 lb) maximum takeoff weight variant with three auxiliary fuel tanks, giving it 100 nmi (190 km; 120 mi) more operational range than a Boeing 757-200.[107] Airbus launched the A321LR (Long Range) on 13 January 2015; it has a range of 4,000 nmi (7,400 km; 4,600 mi) with 206 seats in two classes.[108][109] On 31 January 2018, the variant completed its first flight.[110] Airbus announced its certification on 2 October 2018.[111] On 13 November 2018, Arkia received the first A321LR.[112]

A321XLR

[edit]
An A321XLR prototype at ILA Berlin Air Show 2024

In January 2018, Airbus was studying an A321LR variant with a further increased MTOW.[113] The proposed A321XLR, with an increased range of 4,500 nmi (8,300 km; 5,200 mi), was to be launched in 2019 to enter service in 2021 or 2022 and compete with the Boeing NMA.[114] In November, Airbus indicated that the A321XLR would have an MTOW over 100 t (220,000 lb) and 700 nmi (1,300 km; 810 mi) more range than the A321LR.[115] The A321XLR was launched at the June 2019 Paris Air Show, with 4,700 nmi (8,700 km; 5,400 mi) of range from 2023, including a new permanent Rear Centre Tank (RCT) for more fuel, a strengthened landing gear for a 101 t (223,000 lb) MTOW; and an optimised wing trailing-edge flap configuration to preserve take-off performance.[116] The company announced in June 2022 that the aircraft had completed its first flight.[117] The A321XLR, powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines, received EASA type certification on 19 July 2024 and was expected to enter service at the end of the summer, while certification of the PW1000G engine powered A321XLR, was expected to follow later in the same year.[118]

Airbus Corporate Jets

[edit]
Airbus A320× Corporate Jet at Hamburg Finkenwerder after performing its first flight

Two Airbus Corporate Jets variants are offered: the ACJ319neo, carrying eight passengers up to 6,750 nmi (12,500 km; 7,770 mi), and the ACJ320neo, carrying 25 up to 6,000 nmi (11,000 km; 6,900 mi).[119] The CFM LEAP or Pratt & Whitney PW1100G lower fuel-burn provides additional range along with lower engine noise while the cabin altitude does not exceed 6,400 ft (2,000 m).[119] To increase its fuel capacity, the ACJ319neo is offered with up to five additional centre tanks (ACT).[119]

The first ACJ320neo was delivered in January 2019, with deliveries of the ACJ319neo expected to start a few months later.[120] On 25 April 2019, the ACJ319neo, outfitted with five ACTs, completed its first flight, before a short test campaign and subsequent delivery to German K5 Aviation.[121] The following day, the aircraft completed an endurance test flight lasting 16 hours and 10 minutes and setting a record for the longest A320-family flight by an Airbus crew.[122]

A321LR of the German Air Force

Military variants

[edit]

A321LR - Transport and MEDEVAC

[edit]

The German Air Force operates two A321LR based on the A321neo, used for medical evacuation missions, and can be configured for passenger transport.[123]

A320neo - M3A

[edit]

In July 2018, Airbus unveiled the concept of a Modular Multi-Mission Aircraft (M3A) family of aircraft. This family includes three variants:[124]

  • Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA):
  • Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C):
  • Signal Intelligence (SIGINT):

This family of aircraft ended up never being selected by any military.

A321neo - MPA

[edit]

In November 2024, Airbus revealed the A321 MPA aircraft, a proposed successor to the Atlantique 2 of the French Navy. The variant offered by airbus is the A321XLR. The aircraft is in competition with a Falcon 10X offered by Dassault.[125]

Equipment:

  • 2 × dorsal fairings (SATCOM)
  • 5 × blade antennas
  • 1 × E/O gimball under the cockpit
  • MAWS (Missile Approach Warning Systems)
  • ESM (Electronic Support Measures)
  • Tail cone, a bay for the weapons and the sonobuoys

Operators

[edit]

As of October 2024, 3,607 A320neo family aircraft are in service with 127 operators, 85 of which use CFM engines, and 42 PW engines.[71] The five largest operators are IndiGo operating 315, Wizz Air 125, Frontier Airlines 126, China Southern Airlines 120 and China Eastern Airlines 109 aircraft.[1]

Orders and deliveries

[edit]

At the A320neo programme launch on 1 December 2010, Airbus anticipated "a market potential of 4,000 A320neo Family aircraft over the next 15 years".[9] The six month head-start of the A320neo allowed Airbus to rack up 1,000 orders before Boeing announced the MAX.[126] In less than a year, by the November 2011 Dubai Airshow, the family had reached 1,420 orders and commitments, making it the "fastest selling aircraft ever".[127] By March 2013, a little over two years after launch, It had received 2,000 orders.[128] At the first jet delivery in January 2016, the family had received almost 4,500 orders from nearly 80 customers.[129] As of May 2017 it had 5,052 orders : 49 A319neos (1%), 3,617 A320neos (72%) and 1,386 A321neos (27%), with 1,712 of them powered by CFM LEAPs (34%), 1,429 by PW GTFs (28%) and 1,911 undisclosed (38%).[24] By 2019, the A320neo had a 60% market share against the competing Boeing 737 MAX.[130] By December 2021, as many orders migrated to the larger A321neo, it became the most popular variant with 3,958 orders compared to 3,748 orders for the A320neo, while the previous A321 achieved a third of the A320 family orders.[131] In June 2023, total orders for the A321neo reached 5,163, surpassing total orders for the A320ceo of 4,763, and making it the most-ordered variant of the A320 family.[1][132] In July the total orders reached 5,259, surpassing the record 5,205 orders for the Boeing 737-800, becoming the most ordered variant of any airliner in the world.[1][133][134] In December, the A320neo family became the first airliner to reach a record order of 10,000 units and an order backlog of 7,000 units.[1]

As of October 2024, a total of 10,888 A320neo family aircraft have been ordered by 130 customers, of which 3,607 aircraft have been delivered.[1]

Orders and deliveries by type (summary)[1]
Type Orders Deliveries Backlog
A319neo 57 22 35
A320neo 4,044 2,074 1,970
A321neo 6,787 1,511 5,276
A320neo family 10,888 3,607 7,281
A320neo family orders and deliveries by year (distributive)[1]
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Total
Orders A319neo 26 19 2 1 5 −22 22 −18 7 2 15 1 −4 57
A320neo 30 1,081 378 387 824 540 269 416 149 −295 −305 −84 330 402 −78 4,044
A321neo 119 81 341 183 346 287 532 360 965 561 526 425 1,286 616 6,787
A320neo family 30 1,226 478 728 1,009 887 561 926 531 652 263 444 770 1,689 534 10,888
Deliveries A319neo 2 2 6 7 5 22
A320neo 68 161 284 391 253 258 246 247 176 2,074
A321neo 20 102 168 178 199 264 317 263 1,511
A320neo family 68 181 386 561 431 459 516 571 444 3,607

A320neo family orders and deliveries by year (cumulative)

Orders

Deliveries

Data as of October 2024[1]

2011

In early January 2011, IndiGo reached a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for 150 A320neos along 30 A320ceos.[135][136] On 17 January, Virgin America became the launch customer, ordering 60 A320s including 30 A320neos.[137]

At the June 2011 Paris Air Show, it gathered 667 commitments worth US$60.9 billion, raising the backlog to 1,029.[138] Malaysian low-cost carrier AirAsia ordered 200, the largest commercial aviation order at the time.[139] IndiGo confirmed its 150 order.[140] Airbus received orders from GECAS, Scandinavian Airlines, TransAsia Airways, IndiGo, LAN Airlines, AirAsia, GoAir, Air Lease Corporation and Avianca.

On 20 July 2011, American Airlines announced an order for 460 narrowbody jets including 130 A320ceos and 130 A320neos, and intended to order 100 re-engined 737 with CFM LEAPs, pending Boeing confirmation.[141] The order broke Boeing's monopoly with the airline and forced Boeing into the re-engined 737 MAX.[142] As this sale included a Most-Favoured-Customer Clause, the European airframer must refund any price difference to American if it sells to another airline at a lower price. As a result, Airbus was unable to offer the A320neo at a price which United Airlines deemed "competitive", leaving it with a Boeing-skewed fleet.[143]

On 27 July 2011, Lufthansa ordered 25 A320neos and 5 A321neos.[144] The November Dubai Airshow saw a further 130 orders, raising the total to 1,420 orders and commitments, making it the fastest selling aircraft ever.[145]

2012

On 25 January, Norwegian and Airbus confirmed an order of 100 A320neos.[146] In November, Virgin America deferred the deliveries of the A320neo aircraft until 2020, making ILFC the new launch customer along with the A321neo.[147] In December 2012 Pegasus Airlines, the second largest airline in Turkey, signed a deal for up to 100 A320neo family aircraft, of which 75 (57 A320neo and 18 A321neo models) are firm orders.[148]

2013

Lufthansa ordered an additional 70 A320neo and A321neo aircraft on 14 March 2013.[149] easyJet, who already operates 195 A320ceo family aircraft, intends to acquire 100 Airbus A320neo for delivery between 2017 and 2022. As part of the deal, easyJet have options on a further 100 A320neo aircraft, and the Japanese carrier ANA is to order the A320neo and A321neo.[150] Lion Air ordered 183. On 15 March 2013, Turkish Airlines ordered 82 A320s with 35 options including four A320neo and 53 A321neo.[151]

2014

On 15 October 2014 IndiGo signed a MoU with Airbus for purchasing 250 A320neo family aircraft. The deal would be worth over $25.5 billion as per the list price per aircraft. This order will also be the largest by the airline, marking the largest number of jets ever sold by the European planemaker in a single order. The airline had earlier ordered 100 aircraft in 2005 and another 180 aircraft in 2011.[152]

2017

On 15 November 2017 Airbus announced the signing of a MoU with Indigo Partners' four portfolio airlines for 430 A320neo family aircraft – a deal worth nearly $50 billion.[153] On 14 December 2017 Delta Air Lines announced an order for 100 A321neo aircraft and 100 options, powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1100Gs.[154]

2018

By September 2018, Airbus should deliver 3,174 A320neos compared with 2,999 Boeing 737 MAX through 2022. A320neo-family maintenance should rise from $650 million in 2018 to $3.3 billion in 2022.[126]

2019

On 29 October 2019, IndiGo placed a firm order for 300 A320neo Family aircraft, marking one of Airbus' largest aircraft orders ever with a single airline operator. The order comprised a mix of A320neo, A321neo and A321XLR aircraft. This takes IndiGo's total number of A320neo Family aircraft orders to 730.[155]

On 18 November 2019, the low-cost carrier Air Arabia ordered 120 A320neo family jets worth $14 billion at list prices: 70 A320neos and 50 A321neos/XLRs, to be delivered from 2024.[156]

2022

On 1 July 2022, 4 Chinese airlines ordered 292 A320neo aircraft. China Eastern ordered 100, China Southern ordered 96 and signed lease agreements for 17 more, Air China ordered 64 and Shenzhen Airlines ordered 32.

2023

On 14 February 2023, Air India placed an order for 470 aircraft, the largest order at that time, comprising 140 A320neos, 70 A321neos and other airliners.[157]

On 19 June 2023, IndiGo placed an order for 500 A320neo family aircraft, surpassing Air India's order four months earlier and becoming the largest aircraft order by volume with 125 A320neos and 375 A321neos.[158]

Accidents and incidents

[edit]

The A320neo family has recorded one airport-safety related hull loss accident with zero fatalities onboard and five fatalities on the ground as of June 2024.[159][160]

As of 2023, the A320neo family had experienced 0.11 fatal hull loss accidents for every million takeoffs and 0.11 total hull loss accidents for every million takeoffs.[161]

Accidents

[edit]

On 2 September 2022, TAP Air Portugal Flight 1492, an Airbus A320neo registered as CS-TVI, from Lisbon to Conakry International Airport hit a motorbike during landing. Both occupants of the motorbike were killed and the aircraft received damage to its right engine. One rider of the motorbike was identified as the airport's security guard.[162]

On 18 November 2022, LATAM Airlines Perú Flight 2213, an Airbus A320neo registered as CC-BHB, collided with a fire engine that was crossing the runway during takeoff, killing two firefighters and injuring a third, who would die several months later. All 102 passengers and 6 crew aboard escaped unharmed.[163] The aircraft was reportedly written off.[citation needed]

Specifications

[edit]

Notes

  1. ^ no Additional Centre Tank (ACT)[170]
  2. ^ a b A321LR with 3 ACT,[170] A321neo: 93.5 t (206,000 lb) and 3,650 nautical miles (6,760 km; 4,200 mi) range with 2 ACT[171]
  3. ^ a b A321XLR: 101 t (223,000 lb) MTOW, 4,700 nmi (8,700 km) range[172]
  4. ^ GTF/LEAP
  5. ^ with 2 Additional Centre Tanks, no ACT: 23,859 L (6,303 US gal)[176]
  6. ^ A321LR with 3 Additional Centre Tanks, no ACT: 23,490 L (6,205 US gal),[177] A321XLR: additional 12,900 L (3,400 US gal) Rear Centre Tank (RCT) + optional 3,121 L (824 US gal) forward ACT[178]
  7. ^ with 140 passengers, with 124: 7,750 km (4,200 nmi; 4,800 mi)[184]
  8. ^ with 165 passengers, with 150: 6,850 km (3,700 nmi; 4,300 mi)[185]
  9. ^ with 206 passengers

Engines

[edit]
Type certificate[166]
Designation Engines Certification Take-off thrust Maximum continuous
A319-171N PW1124G1-JM 19 August 2019 107.82 kN (24,240 lbf) 106.91 kN (24,030 lbf)
A319-151N CFM LEAP-1A24 19 August 2019 106.80 kN (24,010 lbf) 106.76 kN (24,000 lbf)
A319-153N CFM LEAP-1A26 19 August 2019 120.64 kN (27,120 lbf) 118.68 kN (26,680 lbf)
A320-271N PW1127G-JM 24 November 2015 120.43 kN (27,070 lbf) 117.18 kN (26,340 lbf)
A320-272N PW1124G1-JM 19 August 2019 107.82 kN (24,240 lbf) 106.91 kN (24,030 lbf)
A320-273N PW1129G-JM 19 August 2019 130.00 kN (29,230 lbf) 117.19 kN (26,350 lbf)
A320-251N CFM LEAP-1A26 31 May 2016 120.64 kN (27,120 lbf) 118.68 kN (26,680 lbf)
A320-252N CFM LEAP-1A24 17 January 2018 106.80 kN (24,010 lbf) 106.76 kN (24,000 lbf)
A320-253N CFM LEAP-1A29 19 August 2019 130.29 kN (29,290 lbf) 118.68 kN (26,680 lbf)
A321-271N PW1133G-JM 15 December 2016 147.28 kN (33,110 lbf) 145.81 kN (32,780 lbf)
A321-272N PW1130G-JM 27 June 2017 147.28 kN (33,110 lbf) 145.81 kN (32,780 lbf)
A321-251N CFM LEAP-1A32 10 July 2018 143.05 kN (32,160 lbf) 140.96 kN (31,690 lbf)
A321-252N CFM LEAP-1A30 17 January 2018 143.05 kN (32,160 lbf) 140.96 kN (31,690 lbf)
A321-253N CFM LEAP-1A33 10 July 2017 143.05 kN (32,160 lbf) 140.96 kN (31,690 lbf)

Notes

  • A321-25xNX/-27xNX was the A321neo ACF(Airbus Cabin Flex)Configuration and the A321LR
  • A321-25xNY/-27xNY was the A321XLR

See also

[edit]

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Airbus Orders&Deliveries". Airbus S.A.S. 31 October 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  2. ^ "Airbus starts production of the A320neo Family" (Press release). Airbus S.A.S. 8 July 2012. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  3. ^ a b "EXCLUSIVE: Onboard the Inaugural Airbus A320neo Low-Key Lufthansa Launch". Airways News. 25 January 2016. Archived from the original on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  4. ^ "Pictures: Airbus aims to thwart Boeing's narrowbody plans with upgraded 'A320 Enhanced'". Flight International. 20 June 2006. Archived from the original on 29 December 2018. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  5. ^ Max Kingsley-Jones (15 November 2009). "Dubai 09: A320s sharklets to deliver 3.5% lower fuel burn from 2012". Flight International. Archived from the original on 29 December 2018. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  6. ^ Max Kingsley-Jones (31 December 2019). "How crucial single-aisle strategies a decade ago will shape the 2020s". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 31 December 2019. Retrieved 31 December 2019. "Our own internal modelling of an all-new aeroplane showed it was only going to bring another 3% of performance improvement over the A320neo's 15%," says former Airbus chief operating officer Tom Williams
  7. ^ Scott Hamilton (23 August 2010). "A320 NEO to have $7–8 million price premium". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  8. ^ "SINGAPORE 2010: Airbus targets early A320 re-engining decision, 2015 debut". Flightglobal. 4 February 2010. Archived from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  9. ^ a b "Airbus offers new fuel saving engine options for A320 Family" (Press release). Airbus. 1 December 2010. Archived from the original on 9 April 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  10. ^ Kerry Reals (7 December 2010). "Airbus outlines expected market impact of A320NEO". Flight International. Archived from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
  11. ^ "From war to partner: Airbus and the CSeries". Leeham. 18 October 2017. Archived from the original on 23 February 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  12. ^ "PW1100G lead engine for A320neo development" (Press release). Airbus. 6 April 2011. Archived from the original on 7 January 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  13. ^ "Transaero Airlines firms up order for eight A320neo aircraft" (Press release). Airbus. 5 December 2011. Archived from the original on 6 February 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  14. ^ "Airbus A320NEO Enters FAL (MSN6101)". Theflyingengineer. 19 March 2014. Archived from the original on 1 May 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  15. ^ "IN FOCUS: How to power A320neo is tough choice for airlines". Flightglobal. 21 March 2013. Archived from the original on 20 June 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  16. ^ "Smart-Lav: Another cabin development for the A320 Family". Airbus Latin America. August 2013. Archived from the original on 3 January 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  17. ^ a b "Airbus reveals new A321neo layout: New 'Cabin-Flex' and larger doors". Australian business traveller. 13 June 2014. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
  18. ^ "Airbus Sees A321neo Exceeding 20% Fuel Burn Improvement". AviationWeek. 12 June 2014. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
  19. ^ "Airbus' first A320neo reaches completion" (Press release). Airbus. 1 July 2014. Archived from the original on 19 May 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
  20. ^ "First A320neo successfully completes first flight" (Press release). Airbus. 25 September 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  21. ^ "FAA Certifies PurePower Engine for A320neo Aircraft" (Press release). UTC. 19 December 2014. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  22. ^ a b c Mike Gerzanics (26 May 2017). "Flight test: A321neo stretches its legs". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 29 December 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  23. ^ Tim Wuerfel (26 May 2017). "Flying The A321neo: Technology Upgrades Under The Skin". Aviation Week & Space Technology. Archived from the original on 11 September 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  24. ^ a b Max Kingsley-Jones (14 June 2017). "How Airbus managed a six-variant A320neo test campaign". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 29 December 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
  25. ^ a b "Lufthansa welcomes its fifth A320neo into its fleet" (Press release). Lufthansa. 30 December 2016. Archived from the original on 3 January 2017.
  26. ^ "EASA confirms A321neo Leap as quiet as PW1100G". Flightglobal. 10 April 2017. Archived from the original on 10 April 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
  27. ^ "Airbus Delays Delivery of First A320neo Until 2016". Wall street journal. 30 December 2015. Archived from the original on 10 October 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  28. ^ "First A320neo delivery opens new era in commercial aviation" (Press release). Airbus. 20 January 2016. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  29. ^ Spaeth, Andreas (25 January 2016). "First look: Lufthansa's A320neo reviewed". BusinessTraveller. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  30. ^ David Kaminski-Morrow (26 June 2017). "Airbus expects to park around 30 engineless A320neos". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 26 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  31. ^ Alex Derber (3 November 2017). "Airbus Aims To Consign Engine Issues To 2017". Aviation Week Network. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  32. ^ Jens Flottau (6 February 2018). "Airbus Eyes Ever Higher Production Rates". Aviation Week Network. Archived from the original on 24 May 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  33. ^ Tim Hepher (25 April 2018). "Airbus confirms plans to raise A320 output to 63 a month". Reuters. Archived from the original on 26 April 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  34. ^ a b Stephen Trimble (9 February 2018). "In-flight failures prompt emergency call for P&W-powered A320neos". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 11 February 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  35. ^ Jens Flottau and Aaron Karp (10 February 2018). "Airbus stops accepting PW1100G engines for A320neo aircraft". Aviation Week Network. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  36. ^ a b Jens Flottau (3 June 2018). "Airbus:100 A320neos To Be Waiting For Engines By End Of June". Aviation Week Network. Archived from the original on 7 June 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  37. ^ David Kaminski-Morrow (7 June 2018). "Airbus restores engine balance to A320neo deliveries". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  38. ^ a b c Anurag Kotoky and Benjamin D Katz (1 July 2018). "Airbus Will Miss Its A320neo Delivery Goal After Engine Problems". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on 6 September 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  39. ^ David Kaminski-Morrow (6 July 2018). "Parked A320neo backlog declines after triple-figure peak". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 26 May 2019. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  40. ^ James Field (14 November 2018). "Photos: Airbus Delivers 85 Aircraft in October". AirwaysMag. Archived from the original on 14 November 2018. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  41. ^ Kaminski-Morrow, David (31 July 2019). "Airbus looks to hike A321neo's share of production". Flightglobal.com. Archived from the original on 31 July 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  42. ^ Duclos, François (2 August 2019). "Airbus pourrait assembler des A321no à Toulouse". Air Journal (in French). Archived from the original on 5 August 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  43. ^ Kaminski-Morrow, David (21 January 2020). "Airbus to build first A321neo line at Toulouse in place of A380 facility". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 21 January 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  44. ^ "Airbus to build second production line in France for A321 jets". Radio France Internationale. 21 January 2020. Archived from the original on 6 March 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  45. ^ Kaminski-Morrow, David (13 February 2020). "Airbus sees 'clear path' to small hike in A320 production". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  46. ^ "Airbus provides update on March commercial aircraft orders \x26 deliveries and adapts production rates in COVID\u002D19 environment". Airbus. Archived from the original on 21 April 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  47. ^ Kaminski-Morrow, David (3 February 2021). "Airbus separates A321XLR aft-fuselage work to avoid disrupting assembly line". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 4 February 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  48. ^ David Kaminski-Morrow (27 May 2021). "Airbus looks to take monthly A320neo output to 64 within two years". Flightglobal.
  49. ^ "Toulouse. Airbus inaugure sa nouvelle ligne d'assemblage : Toutes les images". 10 July 2023.
  50. ^ Guillermard, Véronique (21 June 2023). "À Toulouse, Airbus réduit le cycle d'assemblage des A320neo". Le Figaro.
  51. ^ a b c d Benjamin D Katz (21 November 2018). "Airbus Reveals Plans for All-New Narrow-Body, Re-Engined A350". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  52. ^ Max Kingsley Jones (19 November 2019). "New single-aisle Airbus feasible by early 2030s – Faury". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 19 November 2019. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  53. ^ a b Jens Flottau, Thierry Dubois (20 December 2023). "France Funds Research Into Conventional A320neo Successor". Aviation Week.
  54. ^ Kaminski-Morrow, David (15 February 2024). "A320neo successor would be based on new platform burning sustainable aviation fuel: Faury". Flight Global.
  55. ^ a b c d e f Charlotte Ryan (24 May 2021). "Airbus Backs Lightweight Wing to Preserve Lead Over Boeing". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on 25 May 2021.
  56. ^ a b c "Airbus X-Plane Will Test Inflight Folding Wingtips". Aviation Week Network. 20 September 2021.
  57. ^ a b "Investing in the future: Airbus announces new UK wing development and test centre" (Press release). Airbus. 29 January 2016. Archived from the original on 27 May 2021.
  58. ^ a b "Wing of the future" (Press release). Airbus. 17 January 2017. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021.
  59. ^ Tim Hepher (9 May 2017). "Airbus looks to upgrades to counter Boeing's new mid-market jet". Reuters.
  60. ^ "Update: Lower wing skin, Wing of Tomorrow". Compositesworld. 1 September 2020.
  61. ^ a b Michael Gubisch (7 June 2019). "Cost reduction central to Airbus future-wing programme". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 23 January 2021.
  62. ^ "Building things with wings". Aerospace Manufacturing Magazine. 9 May 2019. Archived from the original on 15 January 2021.
  63. ^ Scott Hamilton: Pontifications: The Wing of Tomorrow and Airbus’ future Leeham News
  64. ^ "Airbus begins assembly of first future 'eco-wing' prototype" (PDF) (Press release). Airbus. 22 September 2021.
  65. ^ "Airbus Completes First 'Wing of Tomorrow' Prototype". ASSEMBLY Magazine. 21 December 2021.
  66. ^ Ginger Gardiner (30 September 2021). "Airbus X-Wing will test flapping wing tips, multifunctional trailing edges for future aircraft". CompositesWorld.
  67. ^ GKN Delivers the 1st Fixed Trailing Edge for Airbus' "Wing of Tomorrow" Programme ASDNews
  68. ^ One-piece, one-shot, 17-meter wing spar for high-rate aircraft manufacture CompositesWorld
  69. ^ Mattias Calmunger, Mohamed Sahbi Loukil: Innovative and cost-effective manufacturing out of autoclave for composite materials Linköping University
  70. ^ a b Michael Gubisch (4 January 2019). "What operators have to say about the A320neo". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 4 January 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  71. ^ a b "A320 FAMILY: the most successful aircraft family ever" (PDF). Airbus. 31 March 2024.
  72. ^ "Everything you need to know about the 6 biggest commercial engine manufacturers". Flightglobal. 8 October 2019. Archived from the original on 9 October 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  73. ^ "Engine watch". Cirium. 2022. Archived from the original on 23 February 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  74. ^ Kaminski-Morrow, David (19 July 2019). "Flight-control refinement to fix A321neo pitch-up issue". Flightglobal.com. Archived from the original on 27 July 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  75. ^ Kaminski-Morrow, David (1 August 2019). "A320neo also potentially vulnerable to pitch-up scenario". Flightglobal.com. Archived from the original on 1 August 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  76. ^ Jens Flottau (11 September 2019). "Lufthansa Blocks Last Row Of A320neo Seats; Cites CG Issues". Aviation Week Network. Archived from the original on 19 September 2019. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  77. ^ Aaron Chong (7 February 2018). "Airbus explores A320neo military derivatives". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 11 February 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  78. ^ "Airbus could eventually offer Neo version of A318: Leahy". Flightglobal. 1 December 2010. Archived from the original on 29 December 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  79. ^ a b "A319neo with CFM LEAP-1A engines wins joint Type Certification from FAA and EASA" (Press release). 21 December 2018. Archived from the original on 22 December 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  80. ^ "Qatar swaps A319neo to A320neo; just 29–39 orders remain". Leeham News. 31 December 2013. Archived from the original on 26 May 2019. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  81. ^ Stephen Trimble (31 March 2017). "Airbus completes A319neo first flight". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 29 December 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  82. ^ Michael Gubisch (21 December 2018). "Leap-powered A319neo gains joint approval from EASA and FAA". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 23 December 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  83. ^ Michael Gubisch (21 December 2018). "Airbus aiming to get GTF-powered A319neo certificated next year". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 23 December 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  84. ^ a b "AIRBUS AIRCRAFT 2018 AVERAGE LIST PRICES* (USD millions)" (PDF). airbus.com. Airbus. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 July 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  85. ^ Kaminski-Morrow, David (4 January 2019). "New A220 orders eclipse total A319neo sales". Flightglobal.com. Archived from the original on 7 January 2019. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
  86. ^ Norris, Guy (17 January 2019). "Airbus A320, A220 Evolution Considered As Mobile Expands". Aviation Week Network. Archived from the original on 27 May 2021. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  87. ^ "Commercial Aircraft Pratt & Whitney engine-powered A319neo makes maiden flight" (Press release). Airbus. 25 April 2019. Archived from the original on 28 April 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
  88. ^ Michael Gubisch (30 November 2019). "EASA approves P&W-powered A319neo". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 30 November 2019. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  89. ^ "Airbus Corporate Jets wins order for the ACJ319neo" (Press release). Airbus. 17 May 2021. Archived from the original on 22 May 2021.
  90. ^ Alfred Chua (23 February 2021). "China Southern takes first pair of A319neos". Flightglobal.
  91. ^ "PICTURE: Airbus rolls out A320neo". flightglobal. 1 July 2014. Archived from the original on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
  92. ^ "A320neo makes maiden flight". Flightglobal. 25 September 2014. Archived from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  93. ^ "Airbus A320neo receives joint EASA and FAA Type Certification" (Press release). Airbus. 24 November 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  94. ^ "A320neo | A320 | Aircraft | Airbus Aircraft". aircraft.airbus.com. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  95. ^ "Airbus reveals A320neo dispatch reliability". Flight Global. 12 July 2016. Archived from the original on 13 July 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  96. ^ "An Analysis of A320neo Flight Operations through February 2017". AirInsight. 2 March 2017.
  97. ^ Benjamin Bearup (10 April 2017). "Report: Spirit A320neo Fleet Suffering PW1000G Engine Challenges". Airways Magazine. Archived from the original on 6 September 2018. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
  98. ^ a b Jens Flottau and Guy Norris (24 March 2017). "Airlines Praise Airbus A320neo Performance, But Engine Issues Remain". Aviation Week & Space Technology. Archived from the original on 11 September 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  99. ^ Aircraft Value News (12 November 2018). "Transitioning Product Line Impacts Values of Outgoing Models". Archived from the original on 13 November 2018. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  100. ^ "Airbus evaluates an A320neo multi-mission version" (Press release). Airbus. 20 July 2018. Archived from the original on 17 March 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  101. ^ "ILFC selects 100 A320neo Family aircraft" (Press release). Airbus. 8 March 2011. Archived from the original on 27 February 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  102. ^ "Airbus A321neo completes first flight after engine switch". Reuters. 9 February 2016. Archived from the original on 23 October 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  103. ^ "Accident: Airbus A321 at Perpignan on Feb 12th 2016, tail strike on landing". The Aviation Herald. 12 February 2016. Archived from the original on 26 May 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  104. ^ "Airbus A321neo with P&W engines receives Type Certification" (Press release). Airbus. 15 December 2015. Archived from the original on 11 January 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  105. ^ "A321neo powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines receives type certification" (Press release). Airbus. 1 March 2017. Archived from the original on 3 March 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  106. ^ Aaron Karp (20 April 2017). "Virgin America receives first A321neo as Alaska mulls future fleet". Air Transport World. Aviation Week. Archived from the original on 28 September 2018. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
  107. ^ "Exclusive: Airbus launches "A321neoLR" long range to replace 757-200W". Leeham News. 21 October 2014. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  108. ^ "Airbus Launches Long-Range A321neo". Aviation International News. 13 January 2015. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  109. ^ "Airbus Launches Long-Range A321neo Version". Aviation Week. 13 January 2015. Archived from the original on 16 September 2018. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  110. ^ "Airbus A321LR long-range jet completes maiden flight". Reuters. 31 January 2018. Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  111. ^ "EASA and FAA certify long-range capability for A321neo" (Press release). Airbus. 2 October 2018. Archived from the original on 3 October 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  112. ^ David Kaminski Morrow (13 November 2018). "Arkia chief: A321LR first single-aisle to beat 757-300 economics". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 14 November 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
  113. ^ Jens Flottau (31 January 2018). "Airbus Studying Higher-Capacity A321neo". Aviation Week Network. Archived from the original on 2 February 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  114. ^ Jens Flottau; Guy Norris (20 July 2018). "Airbus Moves Ahead With A321XLR Definition". Aviation Week & Space Technology. Archived from the original on 23 July 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  115. ^ "Airbus indicates A321XLR would have over 100t MTOW". Flightglobal. 13 November 2018. Archived from the original on 29 November 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  116. ^ "Airbus launches longest range single-aisle airliner: the A321XLR" (Press release). Airbus. 17 June 2019. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  117. ^ O'Connor, Kate (17 June 2022). "Airbus A321XLR Completes First Flight". AVweb. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  118. ^ "Airbus A321XLR receives EASA type certification". Aircraft Interiors International. 19 July 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  119. ^ a b c "Corporate Jets : ACJneo". Airbus. Archived from the original on 30 June 2018. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  120. ^ Vogelaar, Rob (17 January 2019). "Acropolis Aviation takes delivery of 1st ACJ320neo". aviationnews.eu. Archived from the original on 16 September 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  121. ^ "ACJ319neo makes successful first flight" (Press release). Airbus. 25 April 2019. Archived from the original on 7 September 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  122. ^ "ACJ319neo sets record during test flight" (Press release). Airbus. 29 April 2019. Archived from the original on 23 November 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  123. ^ "Innovation am Himmel – die Abnahme des neuen Airbus A321LR für die Luftwaffe". www.bundeswehr.de (in German). 23 August 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  124. ^ "A320neo M3A Modular Multi-Mission Aircraft". Naval Technology. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  125. ^ Satam, Parth (13 November 2024). "Airbus Reveals A321 MPA as French Navy Prepares to Replace its Atlantique 2". The Aviationist. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  126. ^ a b Alex Derber (29 August 2018). "How The A320 Overtook The 737, And MRO Implications". Aviation Week Network. Archived from the original on 7 September 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  127. ^ "Airbus wins 211 orders and commitments worth US$20.5 billion" (Press release). Airbus. 16 November 2011. Archived from the original on 11 April 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  128. ^ "Turkish Airlines places its biggest order ever with Airbus" (Press release). Airbus. 22 March 2013. Archived from the original on 18 March 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  129. ^ "First A320neo delivery opens new era in commercial aviation" (Press release). Airbus. 20 January 2016. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  130. ^ Tim Hepher (29 April 2019). "Why Airbus isn't pouncing on Boeing's 737 MAX turmoil". Reuters.
  131. ^ David Kaminski-Morrow (8 December 2021). "Orders for A321neo overtake those for A320neo". Flightglobal.
  132. ^ Kaminski-Morrow, David (7 July 2023). "A321neo overtakes original A320 as Airbus's most-ordered model". Flight Global. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  133. ^ "Boeing Orders and Deliveries (737)". Boeing. 31 July 2023. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  134. ^ Derber, Alex (14 June 2018). "Inside MRO: Boeing 737-800 Not Expected To Peak Until 2021". Aviation Week & Space Technology. Archived from the original on 18 August 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  135. ^ Robert Wall (12 January 2011). "IndiGo Becomes First A320NEO Customer With Huge Order". Aviation Week. Archived from the original on 25 June 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  136. ^ Lori Ranson (11 January 2011). "IndiGo's potential A320neo order heats up engine competition". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 20 June 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  137. ^ "Virgin America Confirms Order for 60 New Aircraft" (Press release). Virgin america. 17 January 2011. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015.
  138. ^ "Airbus With New Order Record At Paris Air Show 2011" (Press release). Airbus. 23 June 2011. Archived from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  139. ^ "AirAsia orders 200 A320neo aircraft" (Press release). Airbus. 23 June 2011. Archived from the original on 12 November 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  140. ^ Ghim-Lay Yeo (22 June 2011). "PARIS: IndiGo firms A320 MOU". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  141. ^ "AMR Corporation Announces Largest Aircraft Order in History With Boeing and Airbus" (Press release). American Airlines. 20 July 2011. Archived from the original on 14 August 2017. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  142. ^ "American Orders 460 Narrow Jets from Boeing and Airbus". The New York Times. 20 July 2011. Archived from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  143. ^ Edward Russell (4 October 2017). "United goes airframer 'agnostic' on future orders". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 11 August 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  144. ^ "Lufthansa purchases 30 A320neo Family aircraft" (Press release). Airbus. 27 July 2011. Archived from the original on 26 September 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  145. ^ "Airbus wins 211 orders and commitments worth US$20.5 billion" (Press release). Airbus. 16 November 2011. Archived from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  146. ^ "Norwegian commits to 100 A320neo aircraft | Airbus News & Events". Airbus.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
  147. ^ "Virgin America Cuts Airbus Order, Delays Jets to Survive". Bloomberg. 16 November 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  148. ^ "Pegasus selects up to 100 A320neo Family Aircraft | Airbus News & Events". Airbus.com. 18 December 2012. Archived from the original on 17 January 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  149. ^ "Lufthansa Supervisory Board gives go-ahead for major Airbus order | Airbus Press release". Airbus.com. 14 March 2013. Archived from the original on 17 March 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  150. ^ "easyJet Media Centre". easyjet.com. Archived from the original on 28 February 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  151. ^ Max Kingsley-Jones (15 March 2013). "Turkish unveils huge A320 family order, including 57 Neos". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 20 June 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  152. ^ "Record Indigo jet order fails to stem Airbus share slide". Reuters India. 15 October 2014. Archived from the original on 12 January 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  153. ^ "Airbus just inked its biggest airplane order ever". money.cnn.com. 15 November 2017. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  154. ^ "Delta Air Lines places order for 100 A321neo ACF aircraft" (Press release). Airbus. 14 December 2017. Archived from the original on 15 December 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  155. ^ "IndiGo signs for 300 A320neo Family aircraft" (Press release). Airbus. 29 October 2019. Archived from the original on 29 October 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  156. ^ "Air Arabia signs $14 billion Airbus A320neo order". reuters. 18 November 2019. Archived from the original on 25 July 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  157. ^ "Air India Confirms Orders for 470 Airbus and Boeing Aircraft". Aviation Week.
  158. ^ "India's IndiGo places record order for 500 A320 Family aircraft" (Press release). Airbus. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  159. ^ "Aviation Safety Network > ASN Aviation Safety Database > Aircraft type index > Airbus A320neo". Archived from the original on 10 April 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  160. ^ "Aviation Safety Network > ASN Aviation Safety Database > Aircraft type index > Airbus A321neo". Archived from the original on 10 April 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  161. ^ "Statistical Summary of Commercial Jet Airplane Accidents" (PDF). Boeing. September 2023. p. 10. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  162. ^ "Accident: TAP A20N at Conakry on Sep 2nd 2022, hits motorbike on landing". avherald.com. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  163. ^ Ranter, Harro. "ASN Aircraft accident Airbus A320-271N CC-BHB Lima-Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM)". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  164. ^ "Airbus Family figures" (PDF). Airbus. July 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 February 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  165. ^ "Airbus Launches Long-Range A321neo Version". Aviation Week. 13 January 2015. Archived from the original on 29 July 2020.
  166. ^ a b c d e "Type certificate Data sheet for Airbus A318 – A319 – A320 – A321". EASA. 6 March 2017. Archived from the original on 28 September 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  167. ^ "Meet the "A320neo MAX 195". Leeham News. 6 April 2015. Archived from the original on 17 August 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  168. ^ "Type certificate Data sheet for Airbus A318 – A319 – A320 – A321" (PDF). EASA. May 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 May 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  169. ^ "Airbus Family figures June 2020" (PDF). Airbus. June 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 October 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  170. ^ a b Airbus formally launches A321LR; we look behind the “LR” to see what’s there Archived 23 May 2021 at the Wayback Machine Leeham News
  171. ^ "Hawaiian signs MOU for 16 A321neos". Flightglobal.com. 7 January 2013. Archived from the original on 14 July 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
  172. ^ "Airbus launches longest range single-aisle airliner: the A321XLR" (Press release). Airbus. 17 June 2019. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021.
  173. ^ "A319 aircraft characteristics: Airport and maintenance planning" (PDF). Airbus. February 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  174. ^ "A320 aircraft characteristics: Airport and maintenance planning" (PDF). Airbus. February 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  175. ^ "A321 aircraft characteristics: Airport and maintenance planning" (PDF). Airbus. February 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  176. ^ Airport and Maintenance Planning AC A320/A320neo Archived 24 April 2019 at the Wayback Machine (PDF). Airbus. December 2020.
  177. ^ "A321 aircraft characteristics - airport and maintenance planning" (PDF). Airbus. December 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 December 2021.
  178. ^ Kaminski-Morrow, David (17 June 2019). "PARIS: Airbus details design changes of A321XLR". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 27 May 2021.
  179. ^ a b "Airbus A320neo Technology". Airbus. Archived from the original on 3 April 2016.
  180. ^ "PurePower Engine Family Specs Chart" (PDF). Pratt & Whitney. Archived from the original on 18 July 2018. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  181. ^ "CFM LEAP Engine Brochure" (PDF). CFM International. 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 September 2015.
  182. ^ "Type Certificate data sheet for PW1100G-JM Series Engines" (PDF). EASA. 23 November 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 October 2016. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  183. ^ "Type Certificate data sheet for LEAP-1A & LEAP-1C Series Engines" (PDF). EASA. 21 December 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 December 2016.
  184. ^ "A319NEO Key figures". Airbus. Archived from the original on 4 February 2017.
  185. ^ "A320NEO Key figures". Airbus. Archived from the original on 3 February 2017.
  186. ^ "AIRBUS A320 Aircraft Characteristics Airport and Maintenance Planning" (PDF). www.airbus.com. 1 December 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 April 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  187. ^ "DOC 8643 – Aircraft Type Designators". ICAO. Archived from the original on 10 July 2017. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
[edit]