A321
An A321-200 of American Airlines, the largest operator
Role Narrow-body jet airliner
National origin Multinational[lower-alpha 1]
Manufacturer Airbus
First flight 11 March 1993
Introduction 27 January 1994 with Lufthansa
Status In service
Primary users American Airlines
Delta Air Lines
China Southern Airlines
Wizz Air
Produced 1992–2021
Number built 3,032 as of 31 December 2023[1]
Developed from Airbus A320
Developed into Airbus A320neo
Airbus A321neo

The Airbus A321 is a member of the Airbus A320 family of short to medium range, narrow-body, commercial passenger twin engine jet airliners;[lower-alpha 2] it carries 185 to 236 passengers. It has a stretched fuselage which was the first derivative of the baseline A320 and entered service in 1994, about six years after the original A320. The aircraft shares a common type rating with all other Airbus A320-family variants, allowing previous A320-family pilots to fly the aircraft without the need for further training.

In December 2010, Airbus announced a new generation of the A320 family, the A320neo (new engine option).[2] The similarly lengthened fuselage A321neo variant offers new, more efficient engines, combined with airframe improvements and the addition of winglets (called Sharklets by Airbus). The aircraft delivers fuel savings of up to 15%. The A321neo carries up to 244 passengers, with a maximum range of 4,000 nmi (7,400 km; 4,600 mi) for the long-range version when carrying no more than 206 passengers.[3]

Final assembly of the aircraft takes place in Hamburg, Germany, and in Mobile, Alabama, United States. As of December 2023, a total of 3,032 A321 airliners have been delivered, of which 2,968 are in service. In addition, another 4,923 A321neo aircraft are on firm order. American Airlines is the largest operator of the Airbus A321 with 306 airplanes in its fleet.[1]

Development

The A321 entered service in January 1994 with Lufthansa
Airbus A321 in new Wizz Air livery at Brest airport, Belarus

The Airbus A321 was the first derivative of the A320, also known as the Stretched A320, A320-500 and A325.[4][5] Its launch came on 24 November 1988, around the same time as the A320 entered service, after commitments for 183 aircraft from 10 customers were secured.[4][6]

An Airbus A321 on final assembly line 3 in the Airbus Hamburg-Finkenwerder plant

The maiden flight of the Airbus A321 came on 11 March 1993, when the prototype, registration F-WWIA, flew with IAE V2500 engines; the second prototype, equipped with CFM56-5B turbofans, flew in May 1993. Lufthansa and Alitalia were the first to order the stretched Airbuses, with 20 and 40 aircraft requested, respectively. The first of Lufthansa's V2500-A5-powered A321s arrived on 27 January 1994, while Alitalia received its first CFM56-5B-powered aircraft on 22 March 1994.[7] The A321-100 entered service in January 1994 with Lufthansa.[8]

Final assembly for the A321 was carried out in Germany (then West Germany), a first for any Airbus.[9] This came after a dispute between the French, who claimed that the move would incur $150 million (€135 million) in unnecessary expenditure associated with the new plant,[4] and the Germans, who claimed that it would be more productive for Airbus in the long run. The second production line was located in Hamburg, which later produced the smaller Airbus A319 and A318. For the first time, Airbus entered the bond market, through which it raised $480 million (€475 million) to finance development costs.[6] An additional $180 million (€175 million) was borrowed from European Investment Bank and private investors.[10]

The A321 is the largest variant of the A320 family.[11][3] The A321-200's length exceeds 44.5 m (146 ft), increasing maximum takeoff weight to 93,000 kg (205,000 lb).[4] Wingspan remained unchanged, supplementing various wingtip devices. Two suppliers provided turbofan engines for the A321: CFM International with its CFM56 and International Aero Engines with the V2500 engine, both in the thrust range of 133–147 kN (30,000–33,000 lbf).

Over 30 years since launch, the A321 Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) grew by 20% from the 83 t (183,000 lb) -100 to the 101 t (223,000 lb) A321XLR, seating became 10% more dense with 244 seats, up by 24, and range doubled from 2,300 to 4,700 nmi (4,300 to 8,700 km; 2,600 to 5,400 mi).[12] By 2019, 4,200 had been ordered—one-quarter of all Airbus single-aisles—including 2,400 neos, one-third of all A320neo orders.[12]

Design

The A321 has double-slotted flaps

The Airbus A321 is a narrow-body (single-aisle) aircraft with a retractable tricycle landing gear, powered by two wing pylon-mounted turbofan engines. It is a low-wing cantilever monoplane with a conventional tail unit having a single vertical stabilizer and rudder. Changes from the A320 include a fuselage stretch and some modifications to the wing. The fuselage was lengthened by a 4.27 m (14 ft 0 in) plug ahead of the wing and a 2.67 m (8 ft 9 in) plug behind it, making the A321 6.94 m (22 ft 9 in) longer than the A320.[3][11][4][13] The length increase required the overwing window exits of the A320 to be converted into door exits and repositioned in front of and behind the wings.[7] To maintain performance, double-slotted flaps and minor trailing edge modifications were included,[4] increasing the wing area from 124 m2 (1,330 sq ft) to 128 m2 (1,380 sq ft).[14] The centre fuselage and undercarriage were reinforced to accommodate a 9,600 kg (21,200 lb) increase in maximum takeoff weight, taking it to 83,000 kg (183,000 lb).[4]

Variants

Airbus A32X family

A321-100

The original derivative of the A321, the A321-100, had shorter range than the A320 because no extra fuel tank was added to compensate for the increased weight. The MTOW of the A321-100 is 83,000 kg (183,000 lb). The A321-100 entered service with Lufthansa in 1994. Only about 90 were produced; a few were later converted to the A321-200 variant.[15]

A321-200

Airbus began development of the heavier and longer-range A321-200 in 1995 to give the A321 full-passenger transcontinental US range. This was achieved through higher thrust engines (V2533-A5 or CFM56-5B3), minor structural strengthening, and an increase in fuel capacity with the installation of one or two optional 2,990 L (790 US gal) tanks in the rear underfloor hold.[13] The additional fuel tanks increased the total capacity to 30,030 L (7,930 US gal). These modifications also increased the maximum takeoff weight of the A321-200 to 93,000 kg (205,000 lb). This variant first flew in December 1996, and entered service with Monarch Airlines in April 1997. The following month, Middle East Airlines received its first A321-200 in May 1997. Its direct competitors include the 757-200 and the 737-900/900ER.

A321neo

The A321neo has larger CFM LEAP or PW1000G turbofans. This Turkish Airlines A321neo has PW1000G engines.

On 1 December 2010, Airbus launched the A320neo family (neo for New Engine Option) with 500 nmi (930 km; 580 mi) more range and 15% better fuel efficiency, thanks to new CFM International LEAP-1A or Pratt & Whitney PW1000G engines and large sharklets.[16] The lengthened A321neo prototype made its first flight on 9 February 2016.[17] It received its type certification on 15 December 2016.[18] The first entered service in May 2017 with Virgin America.[19]

A321LR

An Arkia A321LR in 2019

In October 2014, Airbus started marketing a longer range 97 t (214,000 lb) maximum takeoff weight variant with three auxiliary fuel tanks, giving it 100 nmi (190 km; 120 mi) more operational range than a Boeing 757-200.[20] Airbus launched the A321LR (Long Range) on 13 January 2015; it has a range of 4,000 nmi (7,400 km; 4,600 mi) with 206 seats in two classes.[21][22] On 31 January 2018, the variant completed its first flight.[23] Airbus announced its certification on 2 October 2018.[24] On 13 November 2018, Arkia received the first A321LR.[25]

A321XLR

In January 2018, Airbus was studying an A321LR variant with a further increased MTOW.[26] The proposed A321XLR, with an increased range of 4,500 nmi (8,300 km; 5,200 mi), was to be launched in 2019 to enter service in 2021 or 2022 and compete with the Boeing NMA.[27] In November, Airbus indicated that the A321XLR would have an MTOW over 100 t (220,000 lb) and 700 nmi (1,300 km; 810 mi) more range than the A321LR.[28] The A321XLR was launched at the June 2019 Paris Air Show, with 4,700 nmi (8,700 km; 5,400 mi) of range from 2023, including a new permanent Rear Centre Tank (RCT) for more fuel, a strengthened landing gear for a 101 t (223,000 lb) MTOW; and an optimised wing trailing-edge flap configuration to preserve take-off performance.[29] The company announced in June 2022 that the aircraft had completed its first flight.[30]

Freighter conversion

While no freighter version of the A321 has been built new by Airbus, a first attempt of converting used A320/321 into freighter aircraft was undertaken by Airbus Freighter Conversion GmbH. The program, however, was canceled in 2011 before any aircraft were converted.[31]

On 17 June 2015, ST Aerospace signed agreements with Airbus and EFW for a collaboration to launch the A320/A321 passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion programme.[32] The initial converted aircraft first flew on 22 January 2020. On 27 October 2020, the first A321-200P2F was delivered to launch operator Qantas Airways.[33]

Sine Draco Aviation also offers an A321 passenger-to-freighter conversion programme; its first conversion is expected for the first quarter of 2022.[34]

On 15 March 2022, Lufthansa Cargo started to operate its A321F, a cargo variant of the A321.[35]

Operators

As of December 2023, 2,968 Airbus A321 aircraft were in service with more than 100 operators.[1]

American Airlines and Delta Air Lines operate the largest A321 fleets of 306 and 175 aircraft, respectively.[1]

Orders and deliveries

TypeOrdersDeliveries
TotalBacklogTotal 20232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010
A321ceo 1,784—1,784 ——2293899183222184150102836651
A321neo 6,1714,9231,248 31726419917816810220———————
(A321) (7,955)(4,923)(3,032) (317)(264)(221)(187)(206)(201)(203)(222)(184)(150)(102)(83)(66)(51)
TypeDeliveries
2009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997199619951994
A321ceo 87665130173533354928333522162216
A321neo ————————————————
(A321) (87)(66)(51)(30)(17)(35)(33)(35)(49)(28)(33)(35)(22)(16)(22)(16)

Data as of December 2023[1][36]

Accidents and incidents

For the Airbus A321, 32 aviation accidents and incidents have occurred,[37] including 6 hull-loss accidents or criminal occurrences with a total of 377 fatalities as of August 2019.[38][39]

Specifications

The A320's overwing exits were replaced by type 'C' doors in front of and behind the wings for the A321, although some A321neos with the Cabin Flex arrangement kept the overwing exits.
Variant A321[3] A321neo[40]
Cockpit crew Two
2-class seats 185 (16F @ 36 in, 169Y @ 32 in)[41] 206 (16J @ 36 in + 190Y @ 30 in)[42]
1-class max. 220[43][44] 240 @ 28 in[45]
Cargo capacity 51.70 m3 (1,826 cu ft) / 10×LD3-45s[lower-alpha 3]
Length 44.51 m (146 ft)
Wingspan 35.80 m (117 ft 5 in) [lower-alpha 4]
Wing 122.4 m2 (1,318 sq ft) area, 25° sweep[46]
Height 11.76 m (38.6 ft)
Fuselage 3.95 by 4.14 m (13.0 by 13.6 ft) width × height, 3.70 m (12.1 ft) wide cabin
Max. takeoff weight 93.5 t (206,000 lb) 97 t (213,800 lb)
Max. payload 25.3 t (56,000 lb) 25.5 t (56,200 lb)[47]: 3-2-1 
Op. empty weight 48.5 t (107,000 lb)[41] 50.1 t (110,500 lb)
Fuel capacity 24,050–30,030 L (6,350–7,930 US gal) 23,700–32,940 L (6,261–8,700 US gal)[lower-alpha 5]
Engines (×2) CFM56-5B, 68.3 in (1.73 m) fan
IAE V2500-A5, 63.5 in (1.61 m) fan		 CFM LEAP-1A, 78 in (1.98 m) fan
PW1100G-JM, 81 in (2.06 m) fan
Max. Thrust (×2)[48] 133–142.34 kN (29,900–32,000 lbf) 143.05–147.28 kN (32,160–33,110 lbf)
Speed Cruise: Mach 0.78 (450 kn; 833 km/h; 518 mph)[49]
Max.: Mach 0.82 (473 kn; 876 km/h; 544 mph)[48]
Ceiling 39,100–39,800 ft (11,900–12,100 m)[48]
Typical range 3,200 nmi (5,930 km; 3,680 mi)[lower-alpha 6] neo: 3,500 nmi (6,480 km; 4,030 mi)[50]
LR : 4,000 nmi (7,410 km; 4,600 mi)[lower-alpha 7]
XLR: 4,700 nmi (8,700 km; 5,410 mi)

Engines

Aircraft modelCertification dateEngines[48]Take-Off ThrustMax. Continuous
A321-11127 May 1994CFM56-5B1133.44 kN (30,000 lbf)129.40 kN (29,090 lbf)
A321-11215 February 1994CFM56-5B2 or 5B2/P137.89 kN (31,000 lbf)129.40 kN (29,090 lbf)
A321-13117 December 1993IAE Model V2530-A5133.00 kN (29,900 lbf)119.88 kN (26,950 lbf)
A321-21120 March 1997CFM56-5B3 or 5B3/P or 5B3/2P142.34 kN (32,000 lbf)129.40 kN (29,090 lbf)
A321-21231 August 2001CFM56-5B1 or 5B1/P or 5B1/2P133.44 kN (30,000 lbf)129.40 kN (29,090 lbf)
A321-21331 August 2001CFM56-5B2 or 5B2/P137.89 kN (31,000 lbf)129.40 kN (29,090 lbf)
A321-23120 March 1997IAE Model V2533-A5140.55 kN (31,600 lbf)119.88 kN (26,950 lbf)
A321-23231 August 2001IAE Model V2530-A5133.00 kN (29,900 lbf)119.88 kN (26,950 lbf)
A321-251N 15 December 2016 CFM LEAP-1A32 143.05 kN (32,160 lbf) 119.88 kN (26,950 lbf)
A321-252N 18 December 2017 CFM LEAP-1A30 143.05 kN (32,160 lbf) 119.88 kN (26,950 lbf)
A321-253N 3 March 2017 CFM LEAP-1A33 143.05 kN (32,160 lbf) 119.88 kN (26,950 lbf)
A321-271N 15 December 2016 IAE PW1133G-JM 147.28 kN (33,110 lbf) 145.81 kN (32,780 lbf)
A321-272N 23 May 2017 IAE PW1130G-JM 147.28 kN (33,110 lbf) 145.81 kN (32,780 lbf)
A321-251NX 22 March 2018 CFM LEAP-1A32 143.05 kN (32,160 lbf) 119.88 kN (26,950 lbf)
A321-252NX 22 March 2018 CFM LEAP-1A30 143.05 kN (32,160 lbf) 119.88 kN (26,950 lbf)
A321-253NX 22 March 2018 CFM LEAP-1A33 143.05 kN (32,160 lbf) 119.88 kN (26,950 lbf)
A321-271NX 22 March 2018 IAE PW1133G-JM 147.28 kN (33,110 lbf) 145.81 kN (32,780 lbf)
A321-272NX 22 March 2018 IAE PW1130G-JM 147.28 kN (33,110 lbf) 145.81 kN (32,780 lbf)

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

Notes

  1. ↑ The Airbus A321 is built in Hamburg, Germany and Mobile, Alabama, United States
  2. ↑ Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies named, Airbus Industrie, and is now fully owned by Airbus, originally named EADS. Airbus' name has been Airbus SAS since 2001.
  3. ↑ no Additional Centre Tank
  4. ↑ with sharklets
  5. ↑ 0–3 Additional Centre Tank[47]
  6. ↑ sharklets, typical Passengers and bags
  7. ↑ with 206 passengers

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Airbus Orders & Deliveries". Airbus. 31 December 2023. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  2. ↑ "Airbus offers new fuel saving engine options for A320 Family". Airbus. 1 December 2010. Archived from the original on 9 April 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "A321 specifications". Airbus. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Norris, Guy; Wagner, Mark (1999). Airbus. St. Paul, Minnesota: MBI Publishing. pp. 50–53. ISBN 0-7603-0677-X.
  5. ↑ Laming, Tim; Hewson, Robert (2000). Airbus A320. Zenith Imprint. p. 23. ISBN 0-7603-0902-7. Archived from the original on 27 May 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  6. 1 2 Reed, Arthur (1992). Airbus: Europe's High Flyer. Zürich, Switzerland: Norden Publishing House. p. 84. ISBN 3-907150-10-4.
  7. 1 2 Eden, Paul E., ed. (2008). Civil Aircraft Today. London: Amber Books. p. 25. ISBN 978-1-905704-86-6.
  8. ↑ "So wurde Norddeutschland mit dem Airbus A321 zur Boomregion des Flugzeugbaus". stern.de (in German). 21 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  9. ↑ Sebdon, Gilbert (7 February 1990). "A321 victory for West Germany". Flight International. Archived from the original on 22 June 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2011.
  10. ↑ Norris & Wagner 1999, p. 52
  11. 1 2 "Specifications Airbus A320". Airbus. Archived from the original on 24 January 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
  12. 1 2 Max Kingsley Jones (15 July 2019). "The incredible evolution of Airbus's biggest single-aisle". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 15 July 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  13. 1 2 Gunston, Bill (2009). Airbus: The Complete Story. Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset, UK: Haynes Publishing. pp. 213–215. ISBN 978-1-84425-585-6.
  14. ↑ Moxon; Julian (17 March 1993). "A321: Taking on the 757". Flight International. Archived from the original on 22 June 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2011.
  15. ↑ "Airbus A321-100 Production List". www.planespotters.net. Archived from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  16. ↑ "Airbus offers new fuel saving engine options for A320 Family" (Press release). Airbus. 1 December 2010. Archived from the original on 9 April 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  17. ↑ "Airbus A321neo completes first flight after engine switch". Reuters. 9 February 2016. Archived from the original on 23 October 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  18. ↑ "Airbus A321neo with P&W engines receives Type Certification" (Press release). Airbus. 15 December 2015. Archived from the original on 11 January 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  19. ↑ Aaron Karp (20 April 2017). "Virgin America receives first A321neo as Alaska mulls future fleet". Air Transport World. Aviation Week. Archived from the original on 28 September 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  20. ↑ "Exclusive: Airbus launches "A321neoLR" long range to replace 757-200W". Leeham News. 21 October 2014. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
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  22. ↑ "Airbus Launches Long-Range A321neo Version". Aviation Week. 13 January 2015. Archived from the original on 16 September 2018. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  23. ↑ "Airbus A321LR long-range jet completes maiden flight". Reuters. 31 January 2018. Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  24. ↑ "EASA and FAA certify long-range capability for A321neo" (Press release). Airbus. 2 October 2018. Archived from the original on 3 October 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  25. ↑ David Kaminski Morrow (13 November 2018). "Arkia chief: A321LR first single-aisle to beat 757-300 economics". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 14 November 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
  26. ↑ Jens Flottau (31 January 2018). "Airbus Studying Higher-Capacity A321neo". Aviation Week Network. Archived from the original on 2 February 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  27. ↑ Jens Flottau; Guy Norris (20 July 2018). "Airbus Moves Ahead With A321XLR Definition". Aviation Week & Space Technology. Archived from the original on 23 July 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  28. ↑ "Airbus indicates A321XLR would have over 100t MTOW". Flightglobal. 13 November 2018. Archived from the original on 29 November 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  29. ↑ "Airbus launches longest range single-aisle airliner: the A321XLR" (Press release). Airbus. 17 June 2019. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  30. ↑ O'Connor, Kate (17 June 2022). "Airbus A321XLR Completes First Flight". AVweb. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  31. ↑ "Strong demand for used Airbus A320 aircraft drives joint decision to stop freighter conversion programme" (Press release). Airbus. 3 June 2011.
  32. ↑ "ST Aerospace, Airbus and EFW to launch A320 and A321P2F conversion programme" (Press release). ST Aerospace. 17 June 2015. Archived from the original on 25 July 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  33. ↑ Chris Buckett (27 October 2020). "World's first A321P2F enters service". AirwaysMagazine. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  34. ↑ "The A321-200 SDF advantage". sinedraco.com. Archived from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  35. ↑ "A321F - Lufthansa Cargo". lufthansa-cargo.com. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  36. ↑ "Historical Orders and Deliveries 1974–2009". Airbus S.A.S. January 2010. Archived from the original (Microsoft Excel) on 23 December 2010. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  37. ↑ Airbus A321 occurrences Archived 31 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Aviation Safety, 3 October 2017.
  38. ↑ Airbus A321 hull-loss occurrences Archived 31 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Aviation Safety, 3 October 2017.
  39. ↑ A321 accident statistics Archived 31 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Aviation Safety, 3 October 2017.
  40. ↑ "Airbus Family figures" (PDF). Airbus. July 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 February 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
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  48. 1 2 3 4 "Type Certificate Data Sheet" (PDF). EASA. 22 February 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
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