Country of origin:

France

Description:

Commercial airliner

Power Plant:

Two 33,110 lbst Pratt & Whitney PW1133G geared turbofans; or

Two 32,160 lbst CFM International LEAP-1A33/33 turbofans

Specifications:

History:

As part of its program to continue development of the very successful A320 family, Airbus offered customers a new variant of the A321 known as the A321neo, having a lengthened fuselage with structural strengthening, a re-design of the undercarriage and wing, an increase in the wing area and other modifications to allow for higher weights. It also offered a variant known as the A321neoLR with extra fuel for longer range.

The prototype of the A321neo model (D-AVXB) was flown for the first time on 9 February 2016 but had problems within a few days when it suffered a tailstrike and had to undergo repairs which slowed the certification program. Fitted with Pratt & Whitney engines it was certified on 15 December 2016 and received EASA and FAA certification for the CFM International engines on 1 March 2017. This aircraft, fitted with 184 seats, was delivered to Virgin America.

In October 2014 Airbus announced it was offering a Long Range variant known as the A321neoLR with a longer operational range than the Boeing 757-200, seating 164 passengers. With a take-off weight of 97,000 kg (214,000 lb), this model was introduced to the market in 2018. The layout of this aircraft seated 164 with 20 in business class, 30 in premium economy, and 114 in economy, but could seat 206 in a two class configuration, being 16 in business class and 190 in economy. It had a range of 7,400 km (4,598 miles).

Four examples of the A321neo were ordered in 2014 by Air New Zealand, along with nine examples of the A320neo, for delivery from 2018.  First example of the A321neo series to visit this part of the world was RP-C9930 of Philippine Airlines which visited Brisbane, QLD on a scheduled flight on 3 July 2018.  Deliveries commenced to Air New Zealand, eg A321-271NX ZK-NNG (c/n 8908 – ex D-AVXN), on 14 October 2019.

In 2019 Qantas and Australia Post announced an airfreight agreement for a period of seven years which would see the introduction of up to three A321P2F aircraft on lease for passenger and freight operations, the aircraft be able to carry some 27 tonnes over a range of 4,260 km (2,647 miles). These aircraft would be able to accommodate fourteen 223.5 x 317.5 cm (88 x 125 in) containers on the main deck, and up to ten LD3 containers in the lower hold.  The first of these aircraft (c/n 835) is due for delivery in October 2020.

In June 2019 Qantas announced at the Paris Air Show in France it was going to acquire 36 examples of the A321XLR (extra long range) model, this relating to the converson of its order for 26 A320neo to a firm order for ten A321XLRs, this model having a range of 8,700 km (5,406 miles). Deliveries are to commence in 2023.