Airbus A321

The founding member of the Airbus single-aisle Family, the A321 is the only all-new aircraft in its category.

State-of-the-art capabilities

The A321 is the A320 Family’s largest member

The benchmark A320 Family’s largest member – the A321 – offers airline customers the best seat-mile costs of any single-aisle aircraft and seating capacities comparable to that of a widebody jetliner.

This aircraft has a stretched fuselage with an overall length of 44.51 metres, along with an extended operating range of up to 3,000 nautical miles while carrying a maximum passenger payload. Like each member in Airbus’ A320 Family of jetliners, the A321 offers the lowest fuel burn, emissions and noise footprint in its class.

The A321 typically accommodates 185 passengers in a two-class configuration (16 in first class and 169 in economy) – while offering unbeatable economics in high-density seating (with up to 220 passengers) for charter and low-cost operators. The twin-engine A321 can be powered by either of two engine options: the CFM International CFM56 or International Aero Engines’ V2500.

new engine option

The industry-leading efficiency of Airbus’ A320 Family – of which the A321 is a member – will be further enhanced in 2015 with the service introduction of its new engine option jetliner versions.

Incorporating Airbus’ “Sharklet” wing tip devices and two new engine choices, the A320neo Family offers maximum benefit with minimal changes from baseline A319s, A320s and A321s – delivering fuel savings of up to 15 per cent, along with additional range of up to 500 nautical miles/900 km. or 2 tonnes of extra payload.

For more information on Airbus’ new engine option offered for the A320 Family, visit the dedicated “Spotlight on…” page.

A family approach

The A321 benefits from operational commonality with its fellow A320 Family members, providing carriers with tremendous flexibility in matching aircraft to specific route requirements. All A320 Family aircraft share a single type rating – allowing pilots to fly any member of the Family after attending only one training course and enabling the same team of mechanics to maintain an aircraft.

With only minimal additional training, pilots also can transition quickly from these single-aisle jetliners to Airbus’ larger long-range aircraft quickly thanks to the unique family concept and their exceptional degree of operational commonality.

Longest cabin, widest appeal

While passengers benefit from the A321’s state-of-the-art cabin design, airlines profit from the unique operational flexibility of Airbus’ single-aisle aircraft – with the option to provide wider seats and enhanced comfort; a markedly wider aisle for faster boarding and easier cabin movement; and even a hybrid layout. Overall passenger comfort is further enhanced by the A321’s optional in-flight entertainment systems.

The A320 Family’s wide fuselage also offers unmatched cargo capability for operators. Its four members are the only single-aisle aircraft offering containerised cargo, with the A321 capable of carrying up to 10 standard LD3-46W containers in the lower deck holds – enabling interlining without special ground handling equipment.