Continuing the theme of winglets on planes – or as Airbus calls them “Sharklets”, EVA Air becomes the second operator to operate the Airbus A321 (the stretched A320) with new Sharklets.
EVA Air A321 – Image: Airbus (also wearing testing registration and a German registry…)
Those of you who have a keen eye will note this plane is not painted in EVA Air’s normal White, Green and Orange, but Star Alliance group colours – and it’s looking rather sharp for it – especially on the Sharklets.
Under the wing, showing off the Star Alliance Sharklet – Image, Airbus
EVA Air is leasing the aircraft from GECAS, and represents the first of eight sharklet equipped aircraft to join the EVA Air fleet.
Sharklets offer a 4% fuel saving on long-range flights – adding an extra 100 nautical mile range or an extra 450kg of payload to the aircraft.
A 4% reduction of fuel costs doesn’t sound a lot, but over time – this adds up, reducing the long-term fuel bill and hopefully keeps fares and cargo costs lower.
And no, it’s not painted in Hello Kitty titles. Try EVA Air’s larger A330’s or Boeing 777-300ER for that…
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Why is there a German Fkag painted on the side of the plane? And are the chevrons near the engine exhausts new additions to the IAE or CFM turbofans powering this baby?
The German flag and registry are used for test flight purposes – like test plates on a car.
As the unit is being leased from GECAS, I’d assume CFM engines are installed.
The chevrons on the turbines are new – I’ll grant you that…