A development of the Airbus A321neo family took flight for the first time today – the Airbus A321LR took off for its maiden flight.
Airbus A321LR taking off on its first flight – Image, Airbus.
The A321LR (a development of the A321neo), can hold up to 240 passengers in a single class – and is designed for missions of 4000nm – or put another way that could be easier to understand – transatlantic flights. The plane features a re-designs door configuration, an increased Maximum Take Off Weight (MTOW) of 97 tonnes and a third Additional Centre Fuel Tank.
The planes are fitted with the Airspace by Airbus cabin.
The first A321LR (Long Range) has taken off on its maiden flight from Hamburg Germany at 11:06 – kicking off the flight test programme
The plane is powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines.
The first flight kicks off a planned 100 test flight programme which will include transatlantic flights, so the A321LR gains EASA and FAA accreditation. There are some tight deadlines, with certification planned during the 2nd Quarter on 2018, and entry into service in 4th Quarter 2018.
With a planned range of 4000nm, Airbus has answered how airlines can replace the venerable Boeing 757 (which itself has a range of 3,915nm and capacity of 228 passengers in a single class configuration).
Whilst Boeing is reacting with larger and longer versions of the 737, for airlines looking towards a 757 replacement (whilst Boeing considers its Middle-of-the-Market replacement)… there could be an answer for them being flight tested.
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