Airbus A320ceo, A320neo families
The Airbus A320 family is a series of narrow-body airliners developed and produced by Airbus. The initial A320 was launched in March 1984, first flew on 22 February 1987, and was introduced in April 1988 by Air France. The first member of the family was followed by the longer A321 (first delivered in January 1994), the shorter A319 (April 1996), and the even shorter A318 (July 2003). The twinjet has a six-abreast cross-section and came with either CFM56 or IAE V2500 turbofan engines, except the CFM56/PW6000 powered A318. The family pioneered the use of digital fly-by-wire and side-stick flight controls in airliners. Variants offer a 5,740–6,940 km (3,100–3,750 nmi) range. In December 2010, Airbus announced the re-engined A320neo (new engine option), which entered service with Lufthansa in January 2016. With more efficient turbofans and improvements including sharklets, it offers up to 15% better fuel economy. Earlier A320s are now called A320ceo (current engine option). American Airlines is the largest A320 operator with 469 aircraft in its fleet. In October 2019, the A320 family surpassed the Boeing 737 to become the highest-selling airliner. As of March 2023, a total of 16,873 A320s had been ordered and 10,798 delivered, of which 10,127 aircraft were in service with more than 340 operators.
Role: Narrow-body jet airliner
Manufacturer: Airbus
First flight: 22 February 1987
Introduction: 18 April 1988
Status: In service
Primary users: American Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, EasyJet, China Southern Airlines
Produced: 1986–2021 (A320ceo family), 2012–present (A320neo family)
Number built: 10,798 as of 31 March 2023
Number lost: 56
Percentage of planes lost: 0.5%
Unit cost: (2023 dollars)
Airbus A318 US$75.1 million
Airbus A319 US$89.6 million
Airbus A320 US$98 million
Airbus A321 US$114.9 million
Airbus A320neo US$110.6 million
Airbus A321neo US$130 million
Airbus A319neo US$101.5 million
Variants
A320ceo
A318
The Airbus A318 is the smallest member of the Airbus A320 family. The A318 carries up to 132 passengers and has a maximum range of 5,700 km (3,100 nmi). The aircraft entered service in July 2003. It is the largest commercial aircraft certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency for steep approach operations, allowing flights at airports such as London City Airport. The A318 has sold in only small numbers with total orders for only 80 aircraft placed as of 31 October 2015. In 2018, the A318 list price was US$77.4 million.
A319
The A319 is 3.73 m (12 ft 3 in) shorter than the A320. With a similar fuel capacity as the A320-200 and fewer passengers, the range with 124 passengers in a two-class configuration extends to 6,650 km (3,590 nmi), or 6,850 km (3,700 nmi) with the "Sharklets". Anticipating orders by Swissair and Alitalia, Airbus decided to launch the programme on 10 June 1993. Plane was first introduced in April 1996. A total of 1,460 of the A319ceo model have been delivered with 24 remaining on order as of 30 September 2017. In 2018, the A319 list price was US$92.3 million.
ACJ319
The A319CJ (rebranded the ACJ319) is the corporate jet version of the A319. It incorporates removable extra fuel tanks which are installed in the cargo compartment, and an increased service ceiling of 12,500 m (41,000 ft). Range with eight passengers' payload and auxiliary fuel tanks (ACTs) is up to 11,000 kilometres (6,000 nmi). The aircraft seats up to 39 passengers, but may be outfitted by the customers into any configuration.
A320
There are A320-100 and A320. Only 21 A320-100s were produced. The primary differences with the -100 were the -200's wingtip fences and increased fuel capacity, providing increased range. Powered by two CFM56-5s or IAE V2500s, the A320's typical range with 150 passengers is 3,300 nmi / 6,100 km. A total of 4,512 of the A320ceo model have been delivered, with 220 remaining on order as of 30 September 2017. In 2018, its list price was US$101.0 million.
A320P2F
After EFW began the first A320 conversion in March 2021, the A320P2F made its maiden flight on 8 December. The aircraft was first delivered in 2006. The A320P2F received its supplemental type certification at the end of March 2022.
A321
The A321 is 6.93 m (22 ft 9 in) longer than the A320; overwing exits are replaced by doors. As the A320 was beginning operations in 1988, the A321 was launched as its first derivative the same year. The A321 fuselage is stretched by 6.93 metres (22 ft 9 in). To maintain performance, double-slotted flaps were included, in addition to increasing the wing area by 4 m2 (43 sq ft), to 128 m2 (1,380 sq ft). The maiden flight of the first of two prototypes came on 11 March 1993. The A321-100 entered service in January 1994 with Lufthansa. As the A321-100 range was less than the A320, development of the heavier and longer range A321-200 began in 1995. The higher range was achieved through higher thrust engines (V2533-A5 or CFM56-5B3), minor structural strengthening, and an increase in fuel capacity with the installation of one or two optional tanks in the rear underfloor hold. It first flew in December 1996 and entered service in April 1997. A total 1,562 of the A321ceo model have been delivered, with 231 remaining on order as of 30 September 2017. In 2018, the A321 list price was US$118.3 million.
A321P2F
A programme to convert A320 and A321 aircraft into freighters was set up by Airbus Freighter Conversion GmbH. Airframes would be converted by Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH (EFW) in Dresden, Germany, and Zhukovsky, Russia. The launch customer signed a firm contract on 16 July 2008 to convert 30 passenger A320/A321s into A320/A321P2F. The initial converted aircraft first flew on 22 January 2020. Airbus sees a market for 1,000 narrowbody conversions over the 2020-2040 period. On 27 October 2020, the first A321P2F was delivered to launch operator.
A320neo
A319neo
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) and improved takeoff performance. The A319neo made its first flight on 31 March 2017, powered by CFM LEAP engines. In 2018, an A319neo list price was US$101.5 million. Interest in the variant has been low, however 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 . The Pratt & Whitney-powered variant made its maiden flight on 25 April 2019. As of May 2021, six ACJ319neo aircraft had been ordered.
A320neo
The first A320neo rolled out of the Airbus factory in Toulouse on 1 July 2014. It first flew on 25 September 2014. Nearly 28 years after the first A320, on 25 January 2016, the A320neo entered service. It has a range of 6,300 km (3,400 nmi). 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 (1.5h average). In 2018 list price of A320neo was US$110.6 million.
A321neo
Virgin America received the first A321neo and put it into service in May 2017. This lengthened fuselage variant has structural strengthening in the landing gear and wing, increased wing loading and other minor modifications due to higher Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW). The Airbus A321neo prototype, D-AVXB, first flew on 9 February 2016. It received its type certification with Pratt & Whitney engines on 15 December 2016, and EASA and FAA certification for the CFM Leap powered variant on 1 March 2017. The first A321neo, configured with 184 seats and LEAP engines, entered service in May 2017. By January 2018, the A321neo had received 1,920 orders, exceeding orders for the A321ceo. By this time the A321neo accounted for 32% of all A320neo family orders. By July 2022, the A321neo represented over 53% of all A320neo family orders. In 2018, an A321neo list price was US$129.5 million.
A321LR
In October 2014, Airbus started marketing a 164-seat, with three auxiliary fuel tanks called the A321neoLR (Long Range). It was scheduled for introduction in the second half of 2018, two years after the A321neo. Airbus launched the A321LR on 13 January 2015. The initial layout of 164 seats was replaced by a two-class 206-seat configuration. Range is 4,000 nmi (7,400 km), 500 nmi (930 km). On 13 November 2018, first customer received the first A321LR, featuring 220 seats in a single-class. The airline started its service from New York-JFK to London Heathrow on 11 August 2021, and to London Gatwick on 29 September.
A321XLR
In January 2018, Airbus stated that it was studying an A321LR variant with a lower-density cabin and expected to fly almost 5,000 nmi (9,300 km). The A321XLR with a range extended to 4,500 nmi (8,300 km) was launched in 2019 to enter service in 2021 or 2022. Integrated in the fuselage to save weight, the centre fuel tank was enlarged.
