Another day, and another certification – this time for the long-range variant of the Airbus A321neo – the A321LR.
Both the European Aviation Safety Agency and the US Federal Aviation Administration have signed the type off for serial production
This change will allow the A321LR to fly up to 4,000nm (4603 miles) with 206 passengers and three additional centre tanks, with ETOPS 180 rated out the box. The certification also adds the Airbus Cabin Flex option (with new door arrangements) offering a a higher Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) capability of up to 97 metric tonnes
A321neo aircraft that are out there with the Airbus Cabin Flex can be fitted with the three additional fuel tanks. Previous models will only be able to accommodate two.
The type being launched with Air Lease Corporation taking first deliveries
With 4,000nm range, the A321LR becomes a decent competitor for the existing Boeing 757-200s that carry out transatlantic missions, or fly “long and thin” routes – indeed the first demo flight was between Paris and New York.
How and where we’ll see the first A321LR deployed in commercial service is another matter…
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