The spread of the midlife update of the A320 – the A320E with Sharklets wingtip devices is spreading further.
A quick re-cap on what a Sharklet first though – It’s a device on the end of a wing that increases the lift generated at the wingtip, whilst reducing the educe the lift-induced drag caused by wingtip vortices, leading to better performance of an aircraft in terms of fuel weight and range.
Now we have the science bit out of the way, lets get onto the pretty pictures.
The first delivered A320 with Sharklets for Air Asia
Detail shot of the Sharklet with the tailfin. Image – Airbus SAS.
The 2nd operator to receive their Sharklet A320’s was Jetstar Japan who took delivery of their first A320 with Sharklets on the 19th February
Image – Airbus SAS.
And finally, the third carrier to recive their Sharklet A320’s will be JetBlue, who are rather chuffed to have these aircraft – as the extra range they offer. More importantly, JetBlue’s aircraft will have their sharklets fitted as a extra option post delivery so their fleet can be outfitted with them, as some of JetBlue’s fleet has the structural re-enforcement to take the Sharklets.
JetBlue intend to have their A320 fleet fitted with Sharklets by 2017.
In terms of range, it will allow JetBlue to eliminate technical stops on certain transcontinental routes when flying into strong headwinds, so JFK to Oakland, Boston to Los Angeles should be non stop.
Go Air and Avianca have also reicived Sharklet equiped A320’s too
Image – Airbus SAS.
The rise of the Sharklet continues – and with the cost benifits they offer, expect them to appear on a lot more new Airbus narrow body aircraft…
Jetblue completed a retrofit in their hanger at JFK. Pics are on blog.jetblue.com
Thanks – I missed that in my rush to write this.
Its funny Boeing stole the A320s old wing fence and Airbus stole the 737s winglet
I like to think of it as “half time” in the Narrow Body wars – everyone change side!