- Flights Between New York-JFK and the French Caribbean Archipelago Will Take Off February 1, 2020
- In Celebration of Bastille Day – July 14 – JetBlue is Offering an Intro Fare of Just $147 One Way from the U.S. to Guadeloupe
New York | July 14, 2019–JetBlue (NASDAQ: JBLU) today announced the airline is celebrating Bastille Day with seats now on sale to Guadeloupe in the French Caribbean. JetBlue will expand the airline’s leadership position in the Caribbean and Latin America with new service between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Guadeloupe’s Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport (PTP) (a). Roundtrip flights will operate three times per week on Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays starting February 1, 2020.
To celebrate JetBlue’s new service and in honor of Bastille Day, France’s National Day – marked each year on July 14 to commemorate a key milestone in the French Revolution in 1789 – JetBlue is offering an introductory fare of $147 one-way (b).
“A long-time favorite getaway spot for French and other Western Europeans travelers, we can’t wait to introduce our JetBlue customers to this unique corner of the Caribbean,” said Andrea Lusso, director route planning, JetBlue. “And as the only airline to serve Guadeloupe from the northeastern United States, JetBlue adds yet another, unique destination to our growing route map.”
Seen from above, the two main islands of Guadeloupe form the shape of butterfly wings. On the west side, Basse-Terre is set on a volcano range, topped by La Soufrière at the heart of dense tropical forests. The rainforest-covered mountain range form part of a national park, which includes many hiking trails. To the east, just across the narrow la Rivière Salée, Grande-Terre is set on a vast limestone plateau bordered by perfect beaches, turquoise lagoons which share the coastline with amazing surfing spots and unforgettable landscapes. The smaller, but equally beautiful islands of Marie Galante, Les Saintes and La Désirade are just a short ferry ride from the main islands.
Culturally, the Guadeloupe Islands are bound together by a rich ethnic diversity that characterizes their folklore, language, music and beliefs. A land of many influences — African, European, Indian, American and the Far East — the Guadeloupe archipelago has a multi-faceted identity where Indian rites, African memory and the rule of the 17th century colonists are part of everyday life.
“JetBlue’s new air service to Guadeloupe was highly anticipated by New Yorkers and Guadeloupeans,” said Ary Chalus, President of the Guadeloupe Islands Tourist Board. “We will be celebrating the new route in New York with brand ambassador Willy Monfret and JetBlue during Pinknic – the annual rosé Pinknic and music festival July 19-20 – and again when the winter inaugural flight takes off during the heat of our legendary three-month Carnival season.”
To continue the celebration beyond Bastille Day, Guadeloupe Islands Tourist Board will celebrate the new JetBlue route at New York’s two-day Pinknic event with a special pop-up event and prize tent. Pinknic features delightful wines complemented with delicious food prepared by local chefs, as well as entertainment from world-renowned bands and DJs.
JetBlue will operate Guadeloupe service using its Airbus A320 aircraft offering the airline’s award-winning service featuring the most legroom in coach (b); free Fly-Fi, the fastest broadband internet in the sky (c); complimentary and unlimited name-brand snacks and soft drinks; free, live DIRECTV® programming and 100+ channels of SiriusXM® radio at every seat.
Royal Jordanian to deploy Bluebox Wow across its Airbus A319 and A320 fleet
Dunfermline, UK | May 26, 2019– Royal Jordanian, the national flag carrier of Jordan, has selected Bluebox Aviation Systems to provide a wireless in-flight entertainment (IFE) system on board the airline’s 4 Airbus A319 and 6 A320 aircraft. “Sky Connect”, as the new IFE service is called, is deployed on the Bluebox Wow portable wireless IFE system and goes live today. Royal Jordanian passengers are able to stream IFE content such as movies and TV shows for free to their own personal devices. Content includes music, games and airline information.
Tianjin, China | December 18, 2018– Airbus has delivered the 400th A320 Family aircraft from its Final Assembly Line Asia (FALA) in Tianjin, China. The A320neo was delivered to national flag carrier Air China, based in Beijing. Powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF latest generation engines, the aircraft features a comfortable two-class cabin layout with 158 seats: 8 business and 150 economy.
The milestone is a tribute to the excellent industrial cooperation and partnership between Airbus and the Chinese aviation industry.
The Airbus A320 Family Final Assembly Line Asia (FALA) is a joint venture between Airbus and a Chinese consortium comprising Tianjin Airport Economic Area Zone & Tianjin Port Free Trade Administrative Committee and China Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC). Airbus and the Chinese consortium hold 51% and 49% of the shares of the joint venture respectively. Airbus has four A320 Family production facilities around the world: Toulouse, France; Hamburg, Germany; Tianjin, China; and Mobile, United States.
Featuring the widest single-aisle cabin in the sky, the efficient A320neo Family incorporates the very latest technologies including new generation engines and Sharklets, which together deliver at least 15% fuel savings at delivery and 20% by 2020. With more than 6,200 orders received from more than 100 customers, the A320neo Family has captured some 60% share of the market.
Newport Beach, California | July 6, 2017– FTS, a fast rising provider of Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity solutions, announces that its Xstream™ inflight WiFi streaming system has received European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Supplemental Type Certification (STC) for Airbus A320 family of aircraft. This marks a major milestone in the product rollout and growth.
FTS Xstream™ hardware qualification on Myanmar Airways International aircraft was achieved following multiple rigorous trials aboard an Airbus A319 test aircraft. The certification validates the reliability and safety compliance of FTS onboard hardware in meeting stringent EASA standards and paves the way for the rollout of Xstream™ systems for global airlines.
The Xstream™ next generation inflight wireless entertainment and connectivity system is completely designed and manufactured in-house within FTS. The system features a high performance 2-MCU embedded file server, 2 wireless access points that support the latest 802.11AC WiFi standard and a revolutionary 3G/4G cellular modem that takes up to 4 sim cards. Passengers can connect to the onboard wireless network through their own mobile devices and enjoy streaming HD-quality video and audio entertainment, play single/multiplayer games, read latest news, view 2D/3D flight progress maps and indulge in shopping.
“I am proud of the team’s achievement in attaining the EASA STC,” said Rich Salter, CTO of FTS based in the California, USA office. “Our software teams have also been hard at work to get the software platform ready for the commercial launch onboard, integrating ancillary revenue generating services and a payment processing gateway. By next year, the Xstream™ product family will be further boosted with the addition of Ku and Ka HTS satellite connectivity and In-seat Wireless Smart Display solutions as our customers demand a viable product upgrade path with smooth transitions”.
FTS had previously announced launch airline customers in Asia and North America within the first year of the company’s operation. In parallel with the EASA STC, FTS is also pursuing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) STC on Boeing aircraft models which is expected to be awarded in September 2017. In April 2017, FTS added another feather in the cap by receiving a “ONE TO WATCH” award from Onboard Hospitality magazine for its FLIGHT BUTLER™ flight attendant smart watch application.
Airbus’ leading single- and twin-aisle aircraft meet the diverse needs of Chinese customers
Berlin | July 5, 2017– China Aviation Supplies Holding Company (CAS) has signed with Airbus a General Terms Agreement (GTA) for the purchase of a total of 140 aircraft. The agreement comprises of 100 A320 Family aircraft and 40 A350 XWB Family aircraft, reflecting the strong demand of Chinese airlines in all market segments including domestic, low cost, regional and international long haul.
The GTA was signed in Berlin by Tom Enders, Airbus CEO, and Sun Bo, Executive Vice President of CAS, in the presence of visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
“This big order is a great endorsement for our leading products in both single aisle and wide body segments”, said Tom Enders. “China is today one of the world’s most important markets for aviation, and we are honoured to support the development and rapid growth of China’s civil aviation with our competitive product portfolio.”
The world’s passenger aircraft fleet above 100 seats is set to more than double in the next 20 years to over 40,000 planes as traffic is forecast to grow at 4.4 percent per year. Emerging markets such as China continue to be an engine for growth, with domestic traffic to become the world’s largest market, according to Airbus’ latest Global Market Forecast 2017-2036.
By the end of May 2017, the in-service Airbus fleet with Chinese operators totaled some 1,440 aircraft, of which nearly 1,230 are A320 Family planes. The A350 XWB has received valuable endorsements from several Chinese customers. The unrivalled operational performance and cabin comfort of the A350 XWB will give Chinese airlines a competitive edge to attract more passengers on international routes.
The A320 Family is the world’s best-selling single aisle product line. To date, the Family has won over 13,000 orders and more than 7,600 aircraft have been delivered to some 400 customers and operators worldwide. With one aircraft in four sizes (A318, A319, A320 and A321), the A320 Family seats from 100 to 240 passengers. The Family features the widest cabin in the single aisle market with 18” wide seats in Economy as standard.
The A350 features the latest aerodynamic design and materials, including its carbon-fibre fuselage and wings. It is powered by new fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. Together, these advanced technological features translate into unrivalled levels of operational efficiency, with a 25 per cent reduction in fuel burn and emissions in addition to significantly lower maintenance costs.
Service bulletins and modification kit developed for advanced inflight broadband service, allowing installation on all Airbus A320 family aircraft
United Kingdom | June 21, 2017– Inmarsat (ISAT.L), the world’s leading provider of global mobile satellite communications, today announced a strategic partnership for its new European Aviation Network (EAN) inflight broadband service with leading aircraft manufacturer Airbus.
As part of a collaborative agreement signed at the Paris Air Show, Airbus will offer airlines a specialist retrofit solution to deploy EAN on the entire A320 family of aircraft, including A319s, A320s and A321s, which form the backbone of many leading airline fleets in Europe.
The agreement marks a further milestone in the development of EAN; the world’s first dedicated aviation connectivity solution to combine space-based and ground-based networks to deliver a seamless WiFi experience for airline passengers throughout Europe. It follows a separate announcement earlier this year that International Airlines Group (IAG), the parent company of Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia and Vueling, will be the launch customer for EAN. IAG has begun equipping its aircraft with the ground-breaking service and aims to have 90% of its short haul fleet complete by early 2019.
EAN is based on a unique infrastructure, which brings together a dedicated S-band satellite and complementary ground network, to offer a fully integrated and seamless network that delivers the service quality and performance assurance not offered by satellite only providers. Because of its unique design, EAN can also be scaled more easily and cost-effectively to match demand.
The network, which is on course to commence commercial services in the second half of 2017, also delivers world-leadership in passenger WiFi technology to Europe. The satellite component, built by France’s Thales Alenia Space, is in French Guiana being prepared for its launch by Arianespace on 28th June. Inmarsat’s strategic partner Deutsche Telekom continues to make good progress on the construction of the complementary ground network.
EAN allows European passengers to use their personal devices for internet browsing, video streaming, gaming and other online services, with unmatched high capacity, low-latency performance. EAN’s robust and ultra-compact technology makes it uniquely qualified for the European airspace, where aircraft size, flight density and frequent aircraft manoeuvring are challenging to broadband satellite-only systems.
Airbus Retrofit Solution
The Airbus retrofit solution consists of modification kits with all cabin network equipment required for EAN deployment. It also includes service bulletins (SBs) that detail the tasks and materials needed for installation and also certify the airworthiness of related modification work.
Airlines can procure the new solution directly through Airbus or Inmarsat, with both partners forecasting that more than 750 aircraft could be retrofitted with EAN over the next three years.
The partnership with Airbus marks a further key achievement for EAN. In addition to its function as an inflight broadband solution, the agreement also contains provisions for airlines to utilise EAN for advanced aircraft maintenance and operations management, leading to increased efficiencies and important cost reductions.
Leo Mondale, Inmarsat Aviation President, said: “Our partnership with Airbus will offer clear advantages to airlines operating the popular A320 family aircraft. They will gain access to the new gold standard in passenger inflight broadband with a retrofit solution that comes from the aircraft manufacturer itself and has been specifically designed for ease-of-use. In addition to EAN’s function as a high-speed inflight broadband service, our collaborative agreement with Airbus also opens the doors to streaming data on the aircraft maintenance and operations side.
“Building on the selection of Inmarsat at the European level and the authorisations already given by European national regulators for the deployment of an innovative satellite and ground network, we are now close to delivering a unique connectivity service for Europe’s airlines and passengers; one that is superior to any other offering in the market.”
Passengers flying over Europe will be able to access EAN using their personal devices for internet browsing, video streaming, gaming and other online services, with unmatched high capacity, low-latency performance. EAN’s robust and ultra-compact technology makes it uniquely qualified for European airspace, where aircraft size, flight density and frequent aircraft manoeuvring are challenging to broadband satellite-only systems.
Geneva | February 6, 2017– Airline passengers flying to and from the Ivory Coast can now expect a connected experience, as national airline, Air Cote d’Ivoire (VRE), signs up for inflight passenger connectivity services from world-leading provider SITAONAIR.
The new deal will deliver connectivity solutions to VRE’s brand new A320s, in the form of SITAONAIR’s Internet ONAIR and Mobile ONAIR products.
With Internet ONAIR onboard, airlines can offer passengers seamless inflight internet access, connecting their personal devices by opening a browser – just as they would with a public Wi-Fi hotspot.
Airlines can use Internet ONAIR to personalize their passenger relationships by developing a portal that can offer an interactive and engaging experience for the passenger. It also offers opportunities for airlines to grow their ancillary revenues.
Mobile ONAIR, meanwhile, offers passengers an airborne mobile phone service that enables them to make phone calls, send texts and use their mobile phone data inflight, through an extensive number of roaming partners in Africa and across the world.
In June 2017, SITAONAIR’s teams will begin activating Internet ONAIR and Mobile ONAIR on five new Air Côte d’Ivoire A320s equipped with Airbus’ Airline Network Architecture (ALNA) server platform. The services will make use of SwiftBroadband, an IP-based data service from Inmarsat that SITAONAIR, as distributor, will operate as service provider.
The project is set for completion in 2019, when Air Côte d’Ivoire (VRE) will take delivery of the last of the five new A320s.
Stephan Egli, Commercial Regional VP for the Middle East and Africa, SITAONAIR, said: “We are very proud to be helping Air Cote d’Ivoire to deliver a brand-new fleet of A320s with the quality inflight connectivity services passengers increasingly demand.
“With the first five of Africa’s airlines to achieve inflight connectivity in the continent using SITAONAIR as their service provider of choice, VRE is part of an inflight connectivity revolution gaining momentum across Africa, as the airlines in the region look to offer the same quality of product for passengers as other regions like their Middle East neighbours.”
René Decurey, CEO of Air Côte d’Ivoire, said: “As the Ivory Coast’s national airline, we are very much at the frontline of passenger demand as it takes shape. Passengers are telling us they want access to internet connectivity from ground-to-air, to enable them to sustain their online lives, wherever they fly. With SITAONAIR’s trusted expertise and industry standing, and with Internet ONAIR and Mobile ONAIR on board, we will be able to give our passengers what they want.”
For more information about the above products, and to discover the full SITAONAIR product and service range, visit www.sitaonair.aero
Singapore | October 25, 2016– Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic), the worldwide leader in inflight entertainment and communications (IFEC), today announced that it has been selected by Airbus as lead supplier for High Bandwidth Connectivity (HBC) technology on its A320, A330, and A380 platforms.
Panasonic’s Global Communications Service uses a Ku-band satellite network to deliver high-speed communications services on 99.6 percent of all air traffic routes. The service lets passengers connect to the people, digital entertainment, and web content of their choice. It also enables Panasonic’s eXTV solution, which is the industry’s only global inflight television service.
Over 70 customers have selected Panasonic’s Global Communications Service for more than 3,500 aircraft. The company estimates that an additional 12,000 aircraft will be committed to its high-speed network by 2025.
Chris Lundquist, Vice President of OEM Accounts, Corporate Strategy and Business Development for Panasonic Avionics Corporation comments: “Over the past six years, Panasonic has delivered more than 60 high-speed wireless connectivity systems to Airbus for linefit installation across its A380, A330 and A350 platforms. We are pleased to extend this capability to A320 and thus across all Airbus platforms”
“By signing the HBC contract, we have enhanced our tremendous relationship with Airbus and look forward to providing our industry-leading broadband communications solutions for their aircraft. Together, both companies will improve passenger’s inflight experience and extend, enhance and differentiate our airline customer’s brands.”
Panasonic currently has the largest number of connectivity-enabled aircraft types installed and the most Wi-Fi enabled aircraft flying international routes.
Helsinki and Carlsbad, CA | September 1, 2016– Finnair has signed an agreement with ViaSat Inc., (NASDAQ: VSAT) a global broadband services and technology company, to install a high-speed wireless internet network on its entire Airbus A320 series short-haul fleet flying in Europe. The installation of the Wi-Fi equipment will begin in May 2017, and will be completed by June 2018.
With a connection speed of 12 Mbps or higher per passenger, the new system will offer the fastest in-flight internet connection currently available on the market, which will also enable the use of increasingly popular video streaming services. ViaSat will ensure end-to-end in-flight connectivity service across the Finnair fleet, and has partnered with Eutelsat to deliver the high-speed satellite-based internet service, which will cover the entire European continent.
“Our customers increasingly value the possibility of being connected during their flights and this change will also create great opportunities for Finnair to further develop its in-flight portal that will serve customers with news, entertainment and great shopping opportunities on their portable devices,” says Piia Karhu, SVP, Customer Experience Development at Finnair. “We are very pleased to partner with ViaSat on this project as we will be able to offer our customers the best possible Wi-Fi offering available on the market today, and that has the ability to scale, once the installations are completed.”
“Finnair is a forward-looking airline that is recognized worldwide for customer service,” says Don Buchman, vice president and general manager, Commercial Mobility at ViaSat. “With the ViaSat in-flight Wi-Fi system, enabled across Europe by Eutelsat’s service, Finnair can deliver greater value to its customers by giving them the freedom to use their own device to engage with the internet in new ways – from enhanced online shopping to out-of-the-box online entertainment experiences.”
Last July, Finnair announced that its entire long-haul fleet of Airbus A330 aircraft would be retrofitted with Wi-Fi connectivity by May 2017. Finnair is currently operating six A350-XWB aircraft which already offer wireless connectivity for its passengers. The airline is expected to receive an additional five A350 aircraft by the end of next year. With both the long-haul and short-haul fleet set to offer internet connectivity by June 2018, over a thousand route pairs in Finnair’s network will offer Wi-Fi connectivity for transiting passengers. Additionally, Finnair’s Wi-Fi coverage over Chinese airspace has recently been opened, having been closed previously due to limitations by the authorities.
Finnair’s wireless internet access is free for Business class passengers, Finnair Plus Gold and Platinum customers, and oneworld Sapphire and Emerald level customers. Economy class passengers can purchase internet access at an hourly rate or for the duration of the flight.
Istanbul, Turkey | August 22, 2016– Turkish Technic and Onur Air signed Airbus A320 component pooling contract in 2012 and agreed to extend the contract till 2021. Onur Air founder and chairman Mr. Cankut Bagana welcomed Turkish Technic CEO Ahmet Karaman at his courtesy visit to Onur Air and the signing ceremony held.
The contract comprises component supply and repair on ATA Chapter basis. Components will be supplied from Istanbul main base and Turkish Technic pooling stations worldwide. Repair work of the components will be done at the Turkish Technic new state-of-art facility in Sabiha Gokcen Airport Istanbul/Turkey. The contract also enhance strong business partnership between parties.
Onur Air CEO Teoman Tosun, expressed Onur Air’ trust in Turkish Technic’s quality of services and also feeling appreciation to have the support of the leading MRO of the world. Mr. Teoman Tosun also added “We are recognized for high quality services of Turkish Technic to support our component supply. We assume that this will be an ideal solution to our Airbus A320/A321 operations.”
Turkish Technic CEO Ahmet Karaman said “We thank Onur Air for extending contract with Turkish Technic for component pooling. This is a new clear indication that we keep our services at the highest level and ensure operators satisfaction, We reached a fleet size more than 700 aircraft in component pool market.”
Onur Air is the successfull carrier, a frontier and is dedicated to flight safety. Onur Air operates from main hub Istanbul, Antalya and Jeddah, providing ultimate experience of flying with affordable rates. Onur Air (IATA: 8Q, ICAO: OHY), operates with a fleet comprising 16 Airbus A320/A321 and 11 A330, with other joining. Onur Air provides scheduled domestic flights as well as international routes. Onur Air Technic being EASA 145 facility provides maintenance services to 3rd party operators, as well as Turkish Airlines.
Turkish Technic (IATP: TKT), an association of Turkish Airlines group companies (Istanbul Stock Exchange: THYAO), is the leading maintenance center in its region, providing technical services for airframe, engine, APU and components for a wide range of airlines from Europe, Middle East, Asia, CIS and Northern Africa at its bases in Istanbul, with a highly qualified and well-trained workforce over 7000 personnel.
- Validation of Supplemental Type Certificate (VSTC) for Cobham AVIATOR 300 on AirbusA320 series is the first time a SwiftBroadband ACARS-capable modem has received CAAC certification
Lyngby, Denmark | July 21, 2016– The Cobham SATCOM AVIATOR 300 system has received a Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) Validation of Supplemental Type Certificate (VSTC) for installation aboard the Airbus A320 series. It is the first time a SwiftBroadband ACARS (Aircraft Communication and Addressing Reporting System)-capable modem has received Chinese certification.
The significant Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) means that Chinese airlines and Chinese-registered aircraft can now order and install the Cobham solution on the Airbus aircraft A319, A320 and A321 to benefit from improved communications, connectivity, flight safety and operations on-board.
Enabling cockpit connectivity for ACARS over SwiftBroadband on the Airbus aircraft, AVIATOR 300 uses Inmarsat SwiftBroadband IP data and circuit-switched voice capabilities to provide services such as aircraft flight tracking information and Ethernet ports for connecting devices such as Aircraft Interface Devices (AIDs) and Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) for the pilots to obtain real-time information including graphical weather updates. AVIATOR 300 also has the bandwidth to send the real-time data of the aircraft health monitoring systems, such as engine monitoring.
Jianmin Cui, Director for Cobham SATCOM China Operations, said: “This certification for our AVIATOR 300 system is very important for the industry in this region and is also a significant milestone for Cobham as we can now offer Chinese airlines a low cost, compact Inmarsat satcom solution. It is a first for the industry, for Inmarsat and also for Cobham. This system provides Chinese airlines an optimal option to comply with the CAAC 4 minute-mandate with more capable data applications.
“The installation of our system on the Airbus aircraft will introduce many benefits for airlines. For example, airlines’ flight operations departments will have the ability to access aircraft data in real time from the ground while the aircraft is in flight, which will significantly improve flight safety and operational efficiencies.”
The VSTC is developed and owned by Avionics Support Group Inc (ASG) for the SwiftBroadband Unit and Delta G for the antenna.
The AVIATOR 300 system, which features the compact and lightweight Intermediate Gain Antenna IGA-5001 to ensure a low profile on the fuselage, provides for fast and reliable connectivity on the Inmarsat SwiftBroadband I-4 satellite network. The system supports high quality, low-cost voice calling and the full complement of data services and provides near global coverage, on the ground or in the air.
Further advantages include recurrent maintenance savings due to the high reliability of the AVIATOR system and recurrent weight savings (approximately 50 to 150lbs) over traditional legacy SATCOM systems.
The full Cobham SATCOM AVIATOR range includes the revolutionary AVIATOR S series, AVIATOR 700 and 700D, AVIATOR 350 with High Gain Antenna (HGA), AVIATOR 300 with IGA as well as the exceptionally compact and lightweight AVIATOR 200 with Low Gain Antenna (LGA).
- Aircraft to meet expansion plans at low cost carrier
Farnborough, UK | July 11, 2016– Vietnam’s Jetstar Pacific Airlines has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Airbus for 10 A320ceo aircraft. The agreement was announced today during the Farnborough Air Show and will mark the first direct purchase of aircraft by the airline with Airbus.
Based in Ho Chi Minh City, Jetstar Pacific is a joint venture between Vietnam Airlines (70%) and the Qantas Group (30%). The airline currently operates a fleet of 12 leased A320 Family aircraft, flying to 28 domestic and regional destinations.
“This agreement marks a milestone in our development,” said Le Hong Ha, Chief Executive Officer of Jetstar Pacific. “The new aircraft will allow us to expand our operation on our international network from Vietnam as part of the wider Jetstar Group. With low operating costs and a comfortable cabin, the A320 enables us to offer our passengers a quality value-based product in a highly competitive market environment.”
“We are pleased to have signed our first MOU with Jetstar Pacific,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers. “The news reinforces the position of the A320 as the single aisle aircraft of choice in both the low cost and full service sectors. We will look forward to working with Jetstar Pacific as it consolidates its position in the fast-growing Vietnamese market.”
The A320 Family is the world’s best-selling single aisle product line with nearly 12,600 orders since launch and more than 7,100 aircraft delivered to some 320 operators worldwide. With the widest cabin in the single aisle market, the A320 Family offer unmatched comfort in all classes and Airbus’ 18” wide seats in economy as standard. The A320 Family aircraft seat from 100 to 240 passengers, seamlessly covering the entire single-aisle segment from low to high-density domestic to longer range routes.
- Partnership announced today at Aircraft Interiors Expo 2016
Hamburg, Germany | April 5, 2016– Saudi Arabian Airlines has selected Panasonic Avionics Corporation’s (Panasonic) innovative eXO system for its fleet of 30 Airbus A320 aircraft on order.
At the 2016 Aircraft Interiors Expo, the carrier confirmed its commitment to Panasonic’s latest generation full HD inflight entertainment experience with the first aircraft due to be delivered in November 2016.
eXO is Panasonic’s innovative overhead solution available today with Panasonic’s new 12-inch 1080p retractable overhead monitors, near audio-on-demand and wireless support for passenger device streaming and interaction with the IFE System. It is designed for maximum flexibility and supports a wide variety of AVOD configurations including overhead video, wireless IFE, full AVOD and hybrid, cabin class-specific systems.
Paul Margis, President and Chief Executive Officer of Panasonic Avionics Corporation, says: “Not all IFEC systems are created equal. Our unrelenting focus on our customer’s unique needs ensures that eXO delivers unmatched flexibility at a very competitive price point. Even for an overhead system, the right technology can make a huge difference in how passengers experience an airline. With eXO, Saudi Arabian Airlines benefits from the ultimate combination of efficiency, performance and reliability to create a premium entertainment experience throughout the aircraft.”
eXO delivers the ability to mix and match cabin configurations based on an aircraft’s mission profile, the airline’s brand strategy, and the desired class configurations. It uses the same backbone as other X Series systems, enabling Saudi Arabian Airlines to launch a hybrid installation with audio/video-on-demand in the premium cabin and overhead video in the economy cabin.
Business Class passengers will enjoy individual 13.3-inch Elite full HD monitors and Video Touch Screen Handsets with a broad choice of on-demand content available through Panasonic’s IFE system. The screens are designed with enough processing power to display the content of both today and tomorrow, as well as the resource-heavy applications that will be introduced over the coming years.
Economy Class passengers will enjoy entertainment on large full HD retractable overhead screens that provide a home theatre experience throughout the cabin.
Director General of SAUDIA Eng. Saleh Aljasser said, “We needed a solution that was incredibly flexible and delivered a true HD cinema experience. The ability to configure a unique entertainment experience in each cabin class is what made eXO an easy decision for our airline. Our guests can now look forward to a unique entertainment experience in every class.”
For more information on Panasonic’s eXO solution, visit the company’s website
- Confirms continuing strong appetite for best-selling, fuel efficient A320 Family
France | January 7, 2016– BOC Aviation, the Singapore-based global aircraft leasing company owned by Bank of China, has announced an order for an additional 30 A320 Family aircraft, comprising 18 A320neo Family aircraft and 12 A320ceo Family aircraft.
“This order underscores our continued confidence in the reliability and operational efficiency of the A320 family aircraft, and reflects its popularity among our customers for short- and medium-haul routes,” said Robert Martin, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BOC Aviation.
“BOC Aviation is a leading lessor based in a fast-growing part of the world, and its latest order not only demonstrates its continued confidence in our product for its airline customers but recognizes the A320 as a sound financial asset in its portfolio,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “We appreciate the mutually beneficial and strong relationship we have built with BOC Aviation over the past 20 years. With this order, BOC Aviation becomes one of Airbus’ top 10 customers.”
Including this latest purchase agreement, BOC Aviation’s cumulative orders to date for new Airbus aircraft have reached a total of 306, comprising 12 A330s and 294 A320 Family, including 64 NEOs.
With more than 12,300 aircraft ordered, and more than 6,800 aircraft delivered to more than 400 customers and operators worldwide, Airbus’ A320 Family is the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft family. The A320neo Family incorporates latest technologies including new generation engines and Sharklet wing tip devices, which together deliver more than 15 percent in fuel savings from day one and 20 percent by 2020 with further cabin innovations. With more than 4,400 orders received from close to 80 customers since its launch in 2010, the A320neo Family has captured some 60 percent share of the market.
Dubai, UAE | November 11, 2015– Rockwell Collins has been selected by Turkish Airlines to provide its EP-8100 visual system for the airline’s Boeing Next Generation 737, Airbus A320 and Airbus A330 full flight simulators. The agreement includes the option for additional visual system upgrades for legacy platforms.
“This agreement marks a first for Turkish Airlines, as it brings the highly realistic capabilities of our newest EP-8100 visual system and laser illuminated projection system to its training operations,” said LeAnn Ridgeway, vice president and general manager, Simulation and Training Solutions for Rockwell Collins.
“We’re pleased to receive the Rockwell Collins’ EP-8100 visual system for our Boeing Next Generation 737, A320 and Airbus A330 full-flight simulators. We believe that this system will improve the efficiency of our existing flight training capabilities,” said Levent Konukcçu, senior vice president, Investment Management for Turkish Airlines.
The EP-8100’s open, scalable architecture makes it possible to add new features and enhancements throughout the life of the system. By maintaining control over the hardware portion of the image generator, it keeps hardware replacement costs manageable over the life of the system.
The Rockwell Collins visual system raises the bar for realistic and affordable pilot training. The seamlessly integrated combination of the new laser-phosphor projectors with the EP-8100 image generator offers unmatched performance, which meets or exceeds all current worldwide regulatory commercial flight training requirements. I tried this brilliant flight simulator experience for training pilots recently and it was extremely realistic, so have a look into that if you’d like the most realistic flight simulation possible.
- Ongoing high demand for world’s leading Single Aisle aircraft
France | October 30, 2015– To match ongoing high demand for its bestselling A320 Family, Airbus has taken the decision to further increase the production rate of the Single Aisle Family to 60 aircraft a month in mid-2019. The decision follows thorough studies on production ramp-up readiness in the supply chain and in Airbus sites to allow the ramp-up.
To enable the ramp-up Airbus will extend its capacity in Hamburg with the creation of an additional production line. In parallel Airbus will integrate cabin furnishing activities for A320 aircraft produced in Toulouse into the Final Assembly Line in Toulouse, and thereby harmonising the production process across all A320 Family Final Assembly Lines worldwide.
“The growing Single Aisle demand and impressive backlog for both CEOs and NEOs led us to decide on a further ramp-up,” said Didier Evrard, Executive Vice President Programmes. “I am confident that we have the highest skilled teams and the right solutions in place to gradually move to the highest production rate ever achieved in civil aviation history.”
The A320 Family is the world’s best-selling single aisle product line with over 12,200 orders since launch and more than 6,700 aircraft delivered to more than 300 operators worldwide. Thanks to their widest cabin, all members of the A320 Family offer unmatched comfort in all classes and Airbus’ 18” wide seats in economy as standard. With one aircraft in four sizes (A318, A319, A320 & A321), the A320 Family, seating from 100 to 240 passengers, seamlessly covers the entire single-aisle segment from low to high-density domestic to longer range routes.
The A320neo Family incorporates latest technologies including new generation engines and Sharklet wing tip devices, which together deliver more than 15 percent in fuel savings from day one and 20 percent by 2020 with further cabin innovations. With over 4,300 orders received from more than 75 customers since its launch in 2010, the A320neo Family has captured almost 60 percent share of the market.
- A great endorsement for the world’s leading versatile wide-body A330 and the best-selling single aisle A320 Family aircraft
France | October 29, 2015– China Aviation Supplies Holding Company (CAS) has signed a General Terms Agreement (GTA) with Airbus for the acquisition of 30 A330 Family aircraft and 100 A320 Family aircraft. The 30 A330s are the firm up of the commitment signed in June 2015. The GTA was signed in Beijing by Li Hai, President and CEO of CAS, and Fabrice Brégier, President and CEO of Airbus, in the presence of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
“We are grateful to CAS, one of our longest standing customers, for its continued confidence in Airbus and in the versatile A330 Family as well as the best-selling A320 Family,” said Fabrice Bregier, President and CEO of Airbus. “With these 30 A330 options now firmed up, CAS’ total number of orders for the popular Airbus widebody is this year 75 aircraft. This strong demand in China for the A330 has been the key driver behind our decision to set up an A330 Completion and Delivery Centre in Tianjin, China next to the A320 Family final assembly line and delivery centre in Tianjin, which has assembled and delivered more than 240 Airbus single aisle aircraft. This will enable us to be even closer to our customers and to take our long-standing mutual beneficial partnership with China to a new height.”
The first agreements on setting up an A330 C&DC in Tianjin, China were signed by Airbus and Chinese partners in March 2014 and witnessed by French President Francois Hollande and visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping. This was followed in October 2014, when Airbus, the Tianjin Free Trade Zone (TJFTZ) and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) in Berlin, Germany, in the presence of the German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, A framework agreement was signed in July 2015 in Toulouse.
According to the Airbus global market forecast, China is leading the world in passenger growth. China’s domestic air traffic will become the world’s largest within the next 10 years, and traffic volumes will quadruple in the next 20 years. In the next 20 years, Airbus forecasts a demand in China for some 5,400 new passenger and freighter aircraft including 1,700 widebody aircraft like the A330, A350 and A380.
At present, the in-service Airbus fleet with Chinese operators comprises over 1,200 aircraft (over 1,000 A320 Family aircraft, over 160 A330 Family aircraft and five A380s as well as Airbus freighters and corporate jets).
The A330 is one of the most popular widebody aircraft ever and has to date won over 1,500 orders, with over 1,200 flying with more than 100 operators worldwide. Airbus is investing hundreds of millions of Euros per year in the A330 Family to maintain the aircraft at the leading edge of innovations. The A330 Family is part of the world’s most modern and comprehensive widebody product line, which also includes the larger A350 XWB and double deck A380.
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The A330 family seats between 250 and 440 passengers and is one of the most efficient aircraft in the world, with the lowest operating costs in its category. Thanks to the continuous introduction of a large number of innovations, the A330 remains the most profitable and best performing aircraft in its class, boasting an average operational reliability of 99.4 percent. Worldwide an A330 Family aircraft takes off or lands every 20 seconds.
The A320 Family, seat from 100 to 240 passengers, seamlessly covering the entire single-aisle segment from low to high-density configurations on domestic to longer-range routes. To date, Airbus has sold more than 12,200 A320 Family aircraft and delivered over 6,700 CEO to more than 300 operators worldwide.
Airbus is the world’s leading aircraft manufacturer of passenger airliners, ranging in capacity from 100 to more than 500 seats. Airbus has design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain, and subsidiaries in the US, China, India, Japan and in the Middle East. In addition, it provides the highest standard of customer support and training through an expanding international network.
Mobile, Alabama | September 14, 2015– In a much-anticipated ceremony today in Mobile, Alabama, Airbus inaugurated operations at its first ever U.S. Manufacturing Facility. The plant – which assembles the industry-leading family of A319s, A320s and A321s – is officially open for business, with a skilled team of more than 250 Airbus manufacturing employees now at work on the first U.S.-made Airbus aircraft.
“Our commercial aircraft production in Mobile signifies two things: that Airbus has become the first truly global aircraft manufacturer, and that Airbus is now also a truly American manufacturer,” said Airbus President and CEO Fabrice Brégier. “With the addition of our U.S. facility to our production network in Europe and Asia, we have strategically expanded our worldwide industrial base.”
“The Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility is an important step forward in Airbus’ strategy, strengthening our position as a leader and competitor in all of our key markets,” Fabrice Brégier continued. “It enables us to grow our already significant presence in America – the largest single-aisle aircraft market in the world – and to be closer to our U.S. customers and key supplier partners. At the same time, the expanded industrial capacity gives us more flexibility to increase production across Airbus to meet global demand. The U.S. facility is good news for the overall Airbus enterprise, as this greater production capacity creates global growth opportunities across the company and throughout our supply chain.”
Airbus announced plans for the $600 million U.S. Manufacturing Facility in 2012, and construction began at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley the following year. The first U.S.-made Airbus commercial aircraft – an A321 – is scheduled for delivery next spring. By 2018, the facility will produce between 40 and 50 single-aisle aircraft per year. Airbus’ market forecast indicates a demand over the next 20 years (from all manufacturers) for some 4,700 single-aisle aircraft in North America alone.
Fabrice Brégier and members of the new Airbus workforce in Mobile were joined at the inaugural ceremony today by Airbus Group CEO Tom Enders, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley, Senator Jeff Sessions, Congressman Bradley Byrne, and scores of other dignitaries, airline and aerospace executives, and local leaders. The industry- and community-wide event convened under the theme, “Let’s Get to Work – Together!” and culminated in the ceremonial placement of a placard on a component of the first aircraft to be produced in Mobile. The placard reads, “This aircraft proudly made in the U.S.A. by the worldwide team from Airbus.”
The Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility joins several other Airbus and Airbus Group operations across the United States, including for example Airbus engineering offices in Alabama (Mobile) and Kansas (Wichita); an Airbus training centre in Florida (Miami); Airbus Defence & Space Military Aircraft facility in Alabama (Mobile); Airbus Helicopters factories and operations in Mississippi (Columbus) and Texas (Grand Prairie); and aircraft spares facilities in Georgia (Atlanta), Florida (Miami) and Virginia (Ashburn). The U.S. headquarters of Airbus, Airbus Defence & Space, and Airbus Group are located in Herndon, Virginia, while Airbus’ Latin America headquarters is located in Miami. Airbus and Airbus Group are major customers of other U.S. aerospace companies as well, having purchased $16.5 billion of components and materials from American suppliers last year alone.
The establishment of the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility doubles the number of manufacturers of large commercial aircraft in the United States, creating jobs, expanding skills, and establishing a new aerospace centre of competence on the U.S. Gulf Coast. In addition to the new Alabama manufacturing site, Airbus assembles commercial aircraft at modern facilities in Hamburg (Germany), Tianjin (China) and Toulouse (France).
Airbus is a leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive family of airliners on the market, ranging in capacity from 100 to more than 500 seats. Airbus champions innovative technologies and offers some of the world’s most fuel efficient and quiet aircraft. Airbus has sold more than 15,900 aircraft to some 400 customers worldwide.
- New system will be an option on Airbus A320 and A330 aircraft families
Cedar Rapids, Iowa | May 4, 2015–Rockwell Collins has been selected by Airbus to provide the Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) interface and communication unit (EICU) for Airbus A320 and A330 aircraft families. The optional system for airlines, exclusively provided by Rockwell Collins, will be available and certified next year.
The EICU, a lightweight, compact unit that is part of Rockwell Collins’ Secure Server Router product portfolio, leverages proven technology from the onboard information management system that the company already supplies for other Airbus aircraft types. It securely connects to portable and factory-installed EFBs in the cockpit via wireless or wired connections.
The system’s embedded router enables the EFB to interconnect with select onboard and external networks, including the avionics, maintenance information, airline operating centers, connecting gates and the cabin. This technology finds the most cost-effective communication channel available, whether it is cellular, WiFi, SATCOM or ACARS, for connecting the EFB to external networks. The unit also features a virtual digital aircraft condition monitoring system (ACMS) recorder (VDAR) that leverages the ground cellular/WiFi connectivity to automatically download quick access recorder (QAR) files to airline ground servers.
“The EICU is a another step in the progression of our information management solutions strategy and an extension of the success we’ve had with Airbus on other aircraft types,” said Greg Irmen, vice president and general manager, Flight Controls and Information Systems for Rockwell Collins. “This new EFB solution for A320s and A330s is central to onboard and off-aircraft networks. It enables pilots to quickly and efficiently connect with essential decision-making tools to make flight operations safer and more efficient.”
The EICU will also be flexible enough to accommodate future networking technologies that may become available.
- Sharklet equipped A320 for optimum high altitude airport performance
Nepal | February 9, 2015– Nepal’s national flag carrier, Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has taken delivery of the first Airbus A320 aircraft sporting a new striking company livery and equipped with Sharklet fuel saving wing tip devices as the airline moves to an all Airbus jet fleet. Following a handover in Hamburg, the aircraft was welcomed at a ceremony attended by government and airline officials at its home base on arrival in Kathmandu.
With its home base in Kathmandu, the A320 was chosen for NAC’s single aisle fleet for its unrivalled economics, performance and capability demanded by high altitude airports. The aircraft has Required Navigation Performance (RNP) capability built-in, which enables the aircraft to fly precisely along predefined routes using state-of-the-art on-board navigation systems.
“Aviation is our window to the world and the world’s window to explorers, trekkers, cultural and ecological visitors to our ‘Naturally’ beautiful Nepal,” said Madan Kharel, Managing Director, Nepal Airlines Corporation. “Our new A320 with Sharklets will help us to expand air services in the region, to increase capacity and to capitalise in the growth of high value tourism by offering our visitors world class comfort and service levels.”
“For a landlocked nation like Nepal, aviation is a lifeline to the rest of the world. Few examples can better illustrate the importance of aviation as a force for economic development,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer Customers. “We are delighted to welcome Nepal Airlines to our family of A320 operators – the world’s most flexible, productive and comfortable single aisle aircraft on the market.”
The A320 was also chosen for its unbeatable operating economics and flexibility that enables it to be deployed on a wide variety of regional routes. Nepal Airlines’ A320 will seat 8 business and 150 economy class passengers in high comfort with the widest seats available in any single-aisle aircraft. In addition, Sharklet wing tip devices will deliver up to an additional four percent fuel burn savings.
Nepal Airlines currently flies to four international destinations and 25 spectacular domestic locations in the heart of the Himalayas.
The A320 Family is recognised as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. Over 11,500 of these aircraft have been sold to more than 400 customers and operators worldwide, making it the world’s best-selling commercial jetliner ever.
- An important endorsement for Airbus’ single aisle Family
France | October 10, 2014– China Aviation Supplies Holding Company (CAS) and Airbus have signed a General Terms Agreement (GTA) for the purchase of a total of 70 Airbus A320 Family aircraft, reflecting the strong demand from Chinese carriers for the leading Airbus single-aisle Family for domestic, low cost, regional and international operations. The GTA was signed by Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and CEO and Li Hai, President of CAS.
“We are grateful to China for its strong vote of confidence in our leading A320 Family aircraft, and are happy to see them assembled at our Chinese facilities,” said Fabrice Brégier. “Our 30 year history of partnership with China keeps growing and expanding through these types of agreements.”
At present, the in-service Airbus fleet with Chinese operators comprises over 1,000 aircraft (around 140 A330 Family and over 920 A320 Family aircraft). In the 20 year period between 2014 to 2033 Airbus forecasts a demand in China for more than 5,300 new commercial aircraft over 100 seats plus freighters.
Today more than 900 in service A320 Family aircraft operate with 16 Chinese carriers and over 190 A320 Family aircraft have been assembled and delivered from the FALC in Tianjin. The A320 Family is the world’s best-selling single aisle product line with more than 11,000 orders to date and over 6,200 aircraft delivered. Thanks to its wide cabin, all members of the A320 Family offer the industry’s best level of comfort in all classes and Airbus’ 18” wide seats in economy as standard.
Aircraft Interiors, Hamburg | April 9, 2014– Based out of King Fahd International Airport, in Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, SaudiGulf Airlines will operate domestic and international services from different airports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The international route network will focus on main capitals in the Middle East and Gulf as well as the Indian subcontinent.
The aircraft equipped with individual Inflight entertainment in both economy and first class compartment will be operated by Saudi Al-Qahtani Group’s wholly owned and newly launched national carrier for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – SaudiGulf Airlines.
The aircraft’s Economy Class Cabin will feature 8”9 displays at every seat and First Class Cabin will be equipped with 12”1 displays together with the award winning Thales TouchPMU, android based touchscreen passenger media unit.
SaudiGulf will take delivery of its Thales IFE equipped four (4) A320 aircrafts starting February 2015. It is anticipated the airline will begin operations in Q1 2015.
Singapore Air Show | February 11, 2014–
TransAsia Airways has selected Thales’s avionics package on its 18 new A320 Family aircraft.
TransAsia Airways’ new fleet will be delivered with Thales’s ACSS T3CAS1, a complete surveillance solution integrating multiple functions into a single system. This agreement has been made under the Selected Seller Furnished Equipment (SSFE) alternate choice at Airbus, who have recently named the T3CAS as the standard surveillance avionics suite on the A320 Family. The system also provides the platform for ADS-B functions, which will pave the way for future Air Traffic Control applications.
TransAsia Airways also selected Thales’s TopFlight Flight Management System (FMS). This system, developed with GE Aviation, is the number one choice for Airbus single aisle and long range jets with over 60% market share and unique capabilities like a landing system (FLS) capability2.
“TransAsia Airways’ decision to include our avionics systems onboard their new fleet is further testament to the strength of our continuing, long-term relationship, established through our service agreements.” said François Piolet, Vice President Sales and Marketing, Thales Avionics Services Worldwide
“TransAsia Airways is pleased to have Thales onboard our aircraft as we are confident that Thales’s avionics equipment will help us fulfill present and future navigation and surveillance requirements” said Fred Wu, Vice President of TransAsia Airways.
“Like on the ATR, TransAsia Airways has decided to select the integrated system proposed by Thales/ACSS (T3CAS) on its A320 fleet. This system offers an integrated Terrain Awareness Warning System (TAWS) included in the TCAS unit box and provides an exclusive performance based algorithm giving timely alerts to the flight crew as well as being capable of Low RNP” added Mr Wu.
United Kingdom | November 25, 2013– UK-based passenger aircraft seat manufacturer Acro Aircraft Seating has announced that it will equip Airbus A320 aircraft with its Ultra XC wider and lighter economy class reclining seat from the first quarter, 2014. The seat, boasting a width of 18.1 inches for window and aisle seats and 19.3 inches for the middle seat, will offer passengers more ‘personal’ space, greater comfort and improved sleep especially on long haul flights. The launch customer, a yet to be announced major European carrier will install the new seats across its fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft.
Recent research from the London Sleep Centre revealed that a minimum seat width of 18 inches improved passenger sleep quality by 53% compared with the 1950s-style 17-inch standard. Cameron Allan, Commercial Director at Acro, adds: “We are very excited to be working to supply a wider and more comfortable seat which will address the needs of passengers. The new Ultra XC seat was developed very much in response to customer demand. At Acro, we want our customers to be happy and according to the recent research, when it comes to flying long haul in economy, an inch or so makes a huge difference in terms of passenger comfort.”
Distinguished by their light weight and slim design of the seatback, Acro’s seats fulfill the specific requirements needed by Airbus and commercial carriers in order to comply with the demanding airline seat market. In addition to passenger comfort, Acro’s seats offer a short lead time of only 16 weeks, increased leg room, a reduction of maintenance costs due to a robust, modular and easy-clean structure and a significant weight saving over other manufactured seats which helps operators reduce fuel burn and CO2 emissions.
This latest news follows a hugely successful 2013 for Acro with contract wins to supply seats to Braathens Regional for 13 Saab 340/2000 aircraft, South Africa’s Mango Airlines for eight Boeing 737-800s and KLM Cityhopper for 26 Fokker F70s.
Based in Redhill, Surrey, Acro believes that good design comes from the application of common sense, engineering rigour and practical experience of the service environment. The company designs, certifies and manufactures lightweight, robust and comfortable economy seats for regionals, legacy, low cost and traditional carriers. Acro’s seat portfolio satisfies a wide range of aircraft types and different cabin class options and has the capability to produce 1,500 seats a month, which it anticipates will increase to 2000 a month by 2015. By year end Acro will have some 20,000 seats flying (a number it expects to double over the next eighteen months) following installations on Braathens Regional, Mango, KLM City Hopper, and Aer Arann. Jet2.com (the launch customer in 2008) now has more than 50 aircraft with Acro seats.
– U.S. low-cost carrier signs firm order for 20 A321ceo aircraft
– 1st North American carrier to feature Space-Flex cabin option, room for more seats
Paris Air Show, France | June 20, 2013– Spirit Airlines has placed a firm order for 20 Airbus A321 aircraft and additionally has opted to convert 10 of its existing A320 orders to the larger A321. All of these aircraft are current engine option (ceo) models. Spirit’s A321ceos will accommodate increasing passenger numbers in the airline’s network in the U.S., Caribbean and Latin America. All of the A321ceo aircraft will be fitted with fuel-saving Sharklets and will seat 219 passengers in a single-class layout.
The announcement was made today during the Paris Air Show.
“Spirit’s priority has always been to save its passengers money, while transporting them as comfortably as possible,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “That is exactly what the A320 Family allows the airline to achieve. These are eco-efficient machines with wonderful comfort.”
“We are pleased to expand our partnership with Airbus and excited about the growth opportunities and additional cities we will be able to liberate from high fares with the addition of these aircraft,” said Ben Baldanza, Chief Executive Officer of Spirit Airlines.
The new Spirit A321s will also be the first North America-based aircraft to feature the Space-Flex cabin option. This rear lavatory and galley combination optimizes use of the available space at the very back of the aircraft. The configuration also allows for the first lavatory in the single-aisle market to be accessible to people with reduced mobility.
With this order announced today, Spirit’s firm orders total: 7 A319s, 98 A320s (including 45 A320 new engine option aircraft) and 30 A321s. The airline currently operates a fleet of some 50 A320 Family aircraft.
The A320 Family is the world’s most successful aircraft with over 9,500 ordered and over 5,600 delivered to more than 380 customers and operators