Airbus A320 Family, the most delivered aircraft ever

The A320 Family includes four core aircraft types, each with unique capacities and ranges, all built on the same fundamental platform to ensure operational commonality:

• A318: The smallest variant, seating ~100 passengers.
• A319: Compact and versatile, typically seats 120 - 150 passengers.
• A320: The original and most widely used version, seating 150 - 180 passengers.
• A321: The largest member, seating 180 - 244 passengers depending on layout.

Two engine generations:

• ceo (Current Engine Option): The original engines.
• neo (New Engine Option): Featuring upgraded engines, better fuel efficiency, and lower emissions.

The A320 Family also supports corporate jet and freighter variants (like the A321P2F).

A320ceo (“Current Engine Option”) refers to the original generation of A320 Family models that use the first-generation engines (such as CFM56 or IAE V2500 engines on A320s). A320neo (“New Engine Option”) is the newer generation introduced in the mid-2010s, featuring upgraded engines and systems. 

The A320neo features:

• New-generation engines (CFM LEAP-1A or Pratt & Whitney GTF™)
• Aerodynamic improvements including Sharklets
• Up to 20% lower fuel burn and CO₂ emissions per seat
• Longer range and quieter operations
• Compatibility with up to 50% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)

The ceo models remain in operation worldwide, known for their reliability and global commonality, but the neo family is now the most delivered single-aisle aircraft programme globally.

The A320neo (“New Engine Option”) is an upgraded version of the A320 with enhancements that improve efficiency and passenger comfort. Key features of the A320neo include: 

• Two options: New-generation engines (Pratt & Whitney GTF or CFM LEAP-1A)
• Sharklets: Wingtip devices that reduce fuel burn and emissions
• Up to 20% lower fuel consumption per seat vs. previous-generation aircraft
• 50% smaller noise footprint vs. previous-generation aircraft
• Airspace cabin: optional interior upgrade including options like mood lighting, larger bins, and cleaner air

• A321neo: ~3,500+ nautical miles (6,500+ km)
• A321LR (Long Range): ~4,000 nm (7,400 km)
• A321XLR (Xtra Long Range): ~4,700 nm (8,700 km), ~11-hour flight time

These ranges make the A321neo Family capable of true transatlantic and long-haul missions, connecting routes that were previously out of reach for single-aisle aircraft.

In a typical two-class configuration (with economy and a premium class), the A320 carries around 150 passengers. If configured for all-economy (high density), the A320 can accommodate roughly 180 passengers, which is often the max seating for the A320ceo variant .

The latest A320neo can be certified for slightly higher capacity. With Airbus’ cabin innovations (such as space-efficient lavatories), some A320neo layouts can seat up to 188-194 passengers at absolute maximum in a single-class layout. However, most airlines choose a configuration around 150-180 seats to balance comfort and capacity.

Airspace by Airbus is the name of Airbus’s latest cabin design which brings widebody-style comfort to the single-aisle A320 Family. 

Benefits of the A320’s Airspace cabin include:

• 18” wide seats and a wider aisle for improved personal space
• Larger overhead bins that fit 8 bags per bin, helping to speed boarding
• LED mood lighting that helps reduce jet lag and creates ambiance
• Cleaner air with HEPA filters and 2–3 minute air refresh cycles
• Quieter cabins due to better insulation and low-noise engines
• Panoramic window design and modern lavatories

The Airspace cabin brings a new level of comfort, ambiance, and convenience to the A320 Family, making the flying experience closer to that of a widebody long-haul aircraft, even on shorter trips.

• Full fly-by-wire technology: Digital input for precision and safety
• Glass cockpit: Clean layout with large colour screens and flight management systems
• Common type rating: Pilots can fly A318, A319, A320, and A321 with minimal extra training
• Advanced avionics: Side-stick controls, Flight Envelope Protection

Skywise platform: Enables real-time aircraft health monitoring for predictive maintenance

The A320 is the most widely used single-aisle airliner, serving with full-service carriers, low-cost airlines, and leasing companies alike. In fact, over 300 airlines and customers have ordered A320 Family jets .

Some examples span every region: large network airlines (like American Airlines, Lufthansa, Air France, China Southern), regional and flag carriers, as well as budget carriers (such as easyJet, Air Asia, IndiGo, JetBlue) fly on A320 Family models. The aircraft’ versatility, ranging from the 124-seat A319 to the 240+ seat A321, means there’s an A320 variant suited for almost any airline’s needs.

An A320-family jet is taking off or landing roughly every few seconds somewhere around the globe. This worldwide presence underscores why the A320 is called “the aircraft family of choice for airlines around the world”

Airbus A320 Family aircraft are produced through a global manufacturing network and the final assembly of A320 jets takes place at four main Final Assembly Line (FAL) sites on three continents.

• Hamburg, Germany: A major A320 Family production site (A319, A320, A321 are built here). Hamburg also handles a lot of A320 cabin customisation and deliveries.
• Toulouse, France: One of Airbus’s primary assembly plants, where A320 and A321 models are assembled.
• Tianjin, China: Airbus established a final assembly line in Tianjin to serve the growing Asia-Pacific market. A319, A320, and A321 aircraft are assembled here, bringing production closer to Asian customers.
• Mobile, Alabama, USA: Airbus opened an A320 Family assembly line in Mobile to serve North American customers. This facility currently assembles A319, A320, and A321 models for airlines in the Americas.

Learn more about A320 FALs and sites