A320 Family
THE BEST KEEPS ON GETTING BETTER
The A320 single-aisle jetliner family (composed of the A318, A319, A320 and A321) is the undisputed best-selling aircraft product line of all time. It is used in a full range of services from very short-haul airline routes to intercontinental segments, on operations from challenging in-city airports to high-altitude airfields and an Antarctic ice runway, and on VVIP and government missions with the most discerning passengers.
To ensure this true market leader keeps its competitive edge, Airbus continues to invest in improvements across the product line, including development of the A320neo new engine option, enhancements to the jetliner’s aerodynamics, upgrades to the widest passenger cabin in its class, and extended service intervals for the airframe.
Since Airbus’ launch of the A320neo in December 2010, some 1,420 orders and commitments had been logged for this enhanced family as of November 2011 – setting a sales record of its own with bookings from airlines and leasing companies alike. This represents an important percentage of the 8,000-plus firm orders booked for all A320 aircraft types.
A320NEO: SETTING NEW STANDARDS
- A320 with "Sharklets"
The A320neo provides minimum change with maximum benefit for the best-selling A319, A320 and A321 through the incorporation of two new engine choices – the PW1100G PurePower from Pratt & Whitney and CFM International’s LEAP-X – along with Airbus’ Sharklets large wing tip devices.
These improvements will deliver fuel savings of 15 per cent and an additional flight distance of 500 nautical miles (950 kilometres), or the ability to carry two tonnes more payload at a given range. For the environment, the A320neo’s fuel savings translate into some 3,600 tonnes less CO2 per aircraft per year. Additionally, the A320neo will provide a double-digit reduction in NOx emissions and reduced engine noise.
The new A320 versions will have over 95 per cent airframe commonality with the existing models, enabling it to fit seamlessly into existing A320 Family fleets – a key factor for Airbus customers and operators, which have received more than 4,800 aircraft as of November 2011.
SHARKLETS FOR THE A320 FAMILY
The Airbus Sharklets featured on the A320neo also will be available for A320 Family jetliners beginning in late 2012. These devices cut down on aerodynamic drag by helping reduce the spiral-shaped vortices that are formed at the wingtips of aircraft during flight.
The Sharklets bring more than 3.5 per cent savings in overall fuel consumption on long route sectors to A320 aircraft, while also improving takeoff performance and increasing payload by 500 kg. – allowing for additional range or more passengers to be carried.
These devices also should allow for less thrust to be used during takeoff when runway performance is not “limiting,” thereby decreasing airport noise. In addition to their environmental benefits, the Sharklets’ aerodynamic improvements are to provide multiple advantages for operators – including increased range and payload, better takeoff performance and rate-of-climb, higher optimum altitude, reduced engine maintenance costs and higher residual aircraft value.
Airbus rolled out its A320 development aircraft equipped with Sharklets in November 2011, preparing for a flight test campaign to validate the benefits offered by the devices.
With the popularity of its Sharklets, Airbus also is pursuing a large winglet retrofit option for the in-service fleet of A320 Family jetliners – which will further enhance the fuel efficiency and residual value of these aircraft operated around the world.
FAMILY VALUES
- A320 Family’s spacious cabin include wider seats for unmatched passenger comfort
The A320 family’s cornerstone aircraft is the A320, which accommodates 150 passengers in a typical two-class arrangement, and up to 180 with high-density seating. The stretched-fuselage A321 version seats 185 passengers in the two-class layout, and up to 220 for a high-density cabin. The shorter-fuselage A319 has a 124-passenger capacity in the two-class configuration, and up to 156 in high-density, while the smallest – Airbus’ A318 – seats 107 passengers in the two-class cabin and 132 with high-density seating.
The A320 Family offers all of the benefits from Airbus’ advances in innovation and technology, which result in increased revenue opportunities. These aircraft were the first commercial jetliners to incorporate fly-by-wire flight controls. In addition, their optimised fuselage improves passenger revenue with the widest cabin in the single-aisle marketplace, and increased cargo revenue due to the larger cargo holds and integrated on-board loading systems.
Advantages of the A320 Family’s spacious cabin – which is seven inches larger than its competitor – include wider seats for unmatched passenger comfort, a wider aisle for faster boarding and highly efficient in-flight service, more space for carry-on baggage, and choices of seating configurations in four-, five- and six-abreast layouts.
GIVING A LIFT TO THE WORLD
Since the A320’s service introduction in 1988, this highly capable jetliner product line has transported approximately 90 per cent of the world’s population in total numbers, carrying some six billion passengers.
The A320 Family’s numbers speak for themselves: An A320 takes off or lands somewhere in the world every 2.5 seconds of every day, more than 50 million operating cycles logged since entry-in-service, and a best-in-its-class dispatch reliability of over 99 per cent.
By totally redefining the level of comfort for passengers, and delivering unmatched efficiency plus the best in technology for operators, the A320 Family has won a majority market share in segments that range from mainline network carriers and low-cost airlines to charter operators and leasing companies. It also has become an aircraft of choice for VIP and government transportation with the Airbus Corporate Jetliner versions.
CONSTANT IMPROVEMENTS
- A320 Family in formation flight
To regularly enhance the A320 Family’s capabilities and performance, Airbus invests more than 100 million euros annually in keeping the aircraft highly competitive and efficient.
In addition to the A320neo and Sharklets, Airbus has continuously improved payload and range since the A320 Family’s service entry, while various aerodynamic refinements have brought additional reductions in drag for better fuel efficiency and lower emissions.
Improvements in the two jet engine types currently available on the A320 Family – CFM International’s CFM56 and the International Aero Engines V2500 – have resulted in fuel consumption reductions, lower emissions, longer on-wing lifetimes and more cost-efficient maintenance.
An enhanced cabin configuration developed by Airbus for new production jetliners – as well as for retrofit on existing aircraft – provides additional shoulder-level room for passengers, 10 per cent greater stowage volume for overhead baggage, and a modern ambience using LED lighting, all while making best use of latest technologies, materials and design. As an added bonus, the new cabin also brings a reduction in weight.
Meeting worldwide demand
To meet the A320 Family’s growing worldwide demand, Airbus will increase its output rate to 42 aircraft per month in the fourth quarter of 2012.
The A320 Family is produced on two Airbus assembly lines in Europe: Toulouse, France and Hamburg, Germany; which have been complemented by an additional facility in China. Toulouse is home to the initial assembly line, building A320s; Hamburg has responsibility for the A318, A319 and A321; while Tianjin assembles A319s and A320s.
Tianjin is Airbus’ first assembly facility located outside of Europe, resulting from a joint venture involving Airbus with a Chinese consortium comprising the Tianjin Free Trade Zone (TJFTZ) and China Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC).
01 February 2012
Spirit Airlines firms up 75 A320 Family order including 45 A320neo
Huge response for Airbus eco-efficient single-aisle aircraft expands in the US
26 January 2012
AviancaTaca firms up order for 51 eco-efficient A320 aircraft
Purchase agreement is biggest for a single customer in Latin America history
25 January 2012
Hong Kong Airlines takes delivery of its first A320
Carrier also adds all-premium class A330 to fleet
25 January 2012
Norwegian commits to 100 A320neo aircraft
Stunning A320neo sales success continues in 2012
20 January 2012
Airbus delivers A320 MSN5000 to Middle East Airlines
Major production achievement for Airbus’ modern, single-aisle aircraft family
17 January 2012
After a “year of records,” Airbus sets its sights on continued industry leadership in 2012
Airbus will build on last year’s highly successful commercial performance as the company pursues its industry... read more
17 January 2012
Airbus marks 2011 with record order and delivery numbers
A320neo outperforms as “fastest selling airliner ever”
12 January 2012
Volaris and Airbus finalize largest aircraft order in Mexican history
First carrier in Mexico to order eco-efficient A320neo aircraft
12 December 2011
7,000th Airbus aircraft delivered – an A321 to US Airways
Airbus builds 1,000 eco-efficient aircraft in just under two years
05 December 2011
Transaero Airlines firms up order for eight A320neo aircraft
First customer in Russia and CIS for eco-efficient A320neo
Previous
Next
Visit other aircraft families
Orders & deliveries
| Total orders | 8292 |
|---|---|
| Total deliveries | 4947 |
| In operation | 4829 |
Related news
-
1 February 2012
Spirit Airlines firms up 75 A320 Family order including 45 A320neo -
26 January 2012
AviancaTaca firms up order for 51 eco-efficient A320 aircraft -
25 January 2012
Hong Kong Airlines takes delivery of its first A320
Did you know?
- A320 Assembly Line in Tianjin, China
A320 Family aircraft are assembled in France, Germany and China.
The A320 Final Assembly Line in Toulouse once was the Concorde Assembly Hall.
Consisting primarily of aluminium alloy, the A320 is also built with high technology materials such as carbon composites, Kevlar and fiberglass.
A320 Family aircraft fly to some of the world's most challenging airports including Himalayan airfields in China, India and Bhutan.
80 per cent of A320 Family operators fly at least two members of the Family.
- An A320 Family aircraft takes off or lands every 2.5 seconds of every day.
A320 Family Unrivalled excellence leaflet
Discover Airbus' vision of aviation in 2050
Creating added value while minimising environmental impact at every step of the aircraft life-cycle:
Around the clock... around the world
Out-sized cargo transport
Thinking global, acting local
Spirit Airlines firms up 75 A320 Family order including 45 A320neo
Opportunities in Europe, USA, India and China...
History
Environment
Building an aircraft
Let's shop