Airbus A321

Airbus A321

The Airbus A321 is a stretched version of the successful A320 narrowbody airliner. The aircraft is intended for short and medium-range flights and seats 185-220 passengers.

The fuselage of the A321 is 6.93 m (22 ft 9 in) longer than that of its forerunner. The A321 also has a strengthened undercarriage and more powerful versions of the CFM56 or V2500 turbofan engines. Furthermore Airbus changed as little as possible compared with the A320. The flight decks of both types, for example, are almost identical.

The A321 first flew on 11 March 1993 and Lufthansa became the first user about a year later. Airbus developed two basic versions. The A321-100 is heavier than the A320 but doesn't have extra fuel capacity so that it offers less range. To overcome this limitation, Airbus developed the heavier A321-200, which can carry more fuel and fly longer distances. The A321-200 performed its maiden flight in December 1996.

The Airbus A321 looks very much like the Boeing 757, but is lighter and has two-wheel main undercarriage struts compared with the 757 which has four wheels at each strut. The A321 competes with the Boeing 737-800 and -900.

A321neo

In December 2010 Airbus officially launched the A321neo (new engine option), together with the A319neo and A320neo. This new version has more fuel efficient engines: the CFM International LEAP-1A or the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G (Geared Turbofan). Another improvement are the 'Sharklet' wingtip devices. Airbus claims that the changes result in a 20 per cent lower fuel consumption, so that the aircraft can fly 900 km (500 nm) farther or take 2 tonnes of extra payload on board. The cabin is optimised to increase the maximum number of seats from 220 to 240 and the cabin door configuration has also been adapted.

The first A321neo took off for its maiden flight on 9 February 2016. First delivery took place on 20 April 2017 to Virgin America (photo: Airbus). The standard A321 is now designated 'A321ceo' (=current engine option).

In January 2015 Airbus formally launched a heavier (97 ton maximum takeoff weight) long range version of the A321neo, the A321LR, aimed as a replacement for the Boeing 757 on intercontinental routes, like between Europe and the US East-Coast. The first delivery took place on 13 November 2018 to Arkia Israelie Airlines. The A321LR is equipped with a third auxiliary centre fuel tank and flies up to 7,400 km (4,000 nm), a little more than the 757 does. The standard cabin seats 206 passengers. At the 2019 Paris Airshow Airbus officially launched the 'A321XLR' with even more range (8,700 km - 4,700 nm), intended as a 'Boeing 797 killer'.

Until late 2018 Airbus sold a total of around 3,800 A321s, including 1,800 A321ceo plus around 2,000 A321neo.

Airbus A321-200 Specifications

Wingspan: 34.10 m (111 ft 10 in)
Length: 44.51 m (146 ft). Height: 11.76 m (38 ft 7 in).
Empty weight: 48,200 kg (106,300 lb). Max. takeoff weight: 93,500 kg (206,100 lb).
Passengers: 185-220. Range: 4,400 - 5,600 km (2,350 - 3,050 nm). Cruise speed: 828 km/h (447 kts).
Engines: two CFM International CFM56-5B or International Aero Engines V2500-A5 (133 - 147 kN / 27,000 - 33,000 lb).

Airbus A321neo Specifications

Wingspan: 35.80 m (117 ft 5 in). Length: 44.51 m (146 ft). Height: 11.76 m (38 ft 7 in).
Max. takeoff weight: 93,500 kg (206,132 lb).
Accommodation: 185-240 passengers. Range: 6,760 km (3,650 nm). Cruise speed: 828 km/h (447 kts).
Engines: two CFM LEAP-1A or Pratt & Whitney PW1100G.