We’re all familiar with the Airbus A320 and the A320 family that’s jetted people around since 1988, offering a narrow body jet to go toe-to-toe with the Boeing 737 (as well as seeing off the McDonnell Douglas family of jets).
Since then, deliveries have racked up in the thousands, with over 6000 Airbus A320 family aircraft built.
However, the plane has had to evolve as operators demand lower costs and “greener” planes.
Airbus responded with the A320neo project – neo for New Engine Option.
Until today, the A320 has been existing as computer renderings or parts. That changed with the first completed A320neo rolling out of the Airbus factory at Toulouse today.
The A320neo revealed from its hangar – Image, Airbus
The paintwork for the first test A320 – note the NEO wording of the fuselage and tail – Image Airbus
Rolled out – Note the engine logo of Pratt and Whitney – Image Airbus.
The first plane – MSN6101 rolled out of the Airbus factory, painted up and looking pretty as the plane looks towards it future. In it will be lots of ground tests which will hopefully pave the way to the first flight in September 2014 and a target entry into service during the 4th quarter of 2015.
This A320neo will be fitted with brand new engines – in the case of this aircraft, Pratt and Whitney PurePower PW1100G-JM Geared Turbofan engines.
The A320neo will also be offered with CFM Leap 1A engines too.
The programme will be drawn out as other members of the A320 family – the Airbus A319 and Airbus A321 will have new engine option versions too.
On top of that, Sharklet wingtip devices will be fitted to the planes too, which aid in saving fuel.
Meanwhile inside, you can look forward to larger luggage bins, LED lighting and of course, the 18″ wide seats in economy.
For those of you who think you’re not going to see them around, I’d think again – orders for over 2,661 aircraft on the order books with 607 options.
Airbus will face competition from Boeing with the 737 MAX, as well Bombardier with their CSeries aircraft. Additional competition may come along with the Irkut MS-21 (due for delivery in 2017) and COMAC C919 (flight testing due in 2015).
The narrow body aircraft space which handles so much traffic getting people from A to B is about to get a lot more interesting….
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