Airbus A320neo family

      A320neo family
      A319/A320/A321neo
      CGI representation of the future A320neo
      Role Narrow-body jet airliner
      National origin Multi-national
      Manufacturer Airbus
      Introduction 2015 (scheduled)
      Status In development
      Unit cost A319neo: approx. US$88.8 million[1]
      A320neo: approx. US$96.7 million[1]
      A321neo: approx. US$113.3 million[1]
      Developed from Airbus A320 family

      The Airbus A320neo family is a family of aircraft under development by Airbus replacing the predecessor A320 family (now A320ceo (current engine option)).[2] The letters "neo" stand for "New Engine Option" and are the last step of the modernisation programme A320 Enhanced (or A320E) which was started 2006. In addition to the neo, the modernisation programme also included such improvements as: Aerodynamic refinements, large curved winglets (Sharklets), weight savings, a new cabin with larger luggage spaces, and an improved air purification system.[3][4]

      These improvements in combination are predicted to result in 15% less fuel consumption, 8% lower operating costs, less noise production, and a reduction of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by at least 10% compared to the A320 series.[5] Customers will have a choice of either the CFM International LEAP-X or the Pratt & Whitney PW1000G.

      Development

      Airbus A320 Enhanced (A320E) with Sharklets at ILA 2012

      A320 Enhanced

      Airbus had been assessing the successor to the A320 family with the option of a completely new aircraft or a re-engined and updated one. In 2006 Airbus started the A320 Enhanced (or A320E) programme as a series of improvements to the A320 family. The improvements include aerodynamic refinements, such as adding large curved winglets (Sharklets) with 3.5% fuel burn improvements, weight savings, a new cabin, and engine improvements.[3] Although these engine improvements were fitted into the A320 in 2007/2008 with the CFM56 Tech Insertion and the V2500Select (One), they were estimated with improvements of only 1-2%, which finally led to the "neo": [6][7][8]

      "Who's going to roll over a fleet to a new generation aircraft for 5% better than an A320 today? Especially if another 10% improvement might be coming in the second half of the next decade based on new engine technology," said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer and executive member, in 2006.[3]

      A320 Enhanced (A320E) and A320neo Sharklet detail at ILA 2012.

      Sharklets

      The A320 Enhanced as well as the A320neo will also include some modifications to the wing, mainly the installation of blended winglets called "Sharklets"[9] which were announced on 15 November 2009 by Airbus [10] to A320s (and A320neos) commencing in 2012 with launch customer Air New Zealand.[11] These Airbus winglets, which are 2.4 metres (7 ft 10 in) tall and weigh 200 kilograms (440 lb),[12] would reduce fuel burn by 3.5% and offer increases in payload of 500 kilograms (1,100 lb), or range by 100 nautical miles (190 km) at the original payload.[13] This corresponds to an annual CO2 reduction of around 700 tonnes per aircraft,[10] saving operators US$220,000 per aircraft per year.[14] The Sharklets are to be manufactured and distributed by Korean Air Aerospace Division.[15]

      Enhanced Cabin

      A new cabin was fitted, offering better and larger luggage storage and a quieter cabin, packaged with a more modern look and feel. A new air purification system with filters and a catalytic converter removes toxic fumes and unpleasant smells from the air before it is pumped into the cabin.[16] Additionally, improved cabin efficiency by a new galley concept, reduced weight, improved ergonomics and food hygiene and recycling requirements.[17]LED ambience lighting is optionally available. Anytime LEDs are used for the Passenger Service Unit (PSU)[18] and passengers can get information with touchscreen displays.[19]

      A320neo: New Engine Option

      On 1 December 2010, Airbus officially launched its successor to the A320 Enhanced, the A320neo "New Engine Option". The choice for new engines include the CFM International LEAP-X and the Pratt & Whitney PW1000G.[20][21][22] Though the new engines will burn 16% less fuel, the actual fuel gain on an A320 installation will be slightly less, since 1–2% is typically lost upon installation on an existing aircraft. Overall this means an additional range of 950 km (510 nmi), or 2 t (4,400 lb) of extra payload.[23]

      Airbus' CEO was said to be "comfortable" with the projections of 15% lower maintenance cost for the Pratt & Whitney's PW1000G family, compared with today's engines.[20] Airbus is targeting October 2015 for the first delivery and plans to deliver 4,000 A320neo over 15 years. Virgin America became the launch customer with a firm order of 30 A320neo aircraft as a part of a 60 aircraft order on 17 January 2011.[24] However, in November 2012 they deferred the deliveries of the A320neo aircraft until 2020, making ILFC the new launch customer along with the A321neo.[25] Airlines choices between the two engines are almost equal.[26]

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      Design

      Virgin America Airbus A320 Enhanced economy class Cabin with light-emitting diode (LED) lighting

      Airbus states that the A320neo Family incorporates latest-generation engines and large "Sharklet" wingtip devices, which together will deliver a total of 15 percent in fuel savings;[27] this includes the use of "Sharklet" winglets which are able to decrease the fuel consumption by 3.5% to 4% due to the decrease of wingtip vortices and drag.

      The A320neo has over 95% airframe commonality with the current A320; the airframe is made with new materials such as composite materials and more aluminium alloys, which helps save weight and thus fuel consumption. Also, the new materials will reduce the total of parts of the plane, which will decrease the maintenance costs.[27][28]

      Variants

      Airbus has decided to offer three advanced variants of the A320 family with the "New Engine Option." The A319, A320 and A321 will all be developed further while the A318 is not expected to be offered as a "neo," although that may change in the future.[29]

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      Orders

      Main article: List of Airbus A320neo orders
      A320neo family firm orders
      2010 2011 2012 2013 Total
      A319neo 0 26 0 0 26
      A320neo
      + undisclosed      		 30 1120 416 148 1714
      A321neo 0 80 62 297 439
      Total 30 1226 478 445 2179

      Since its launch in December 2010 the A320neo has received "above 2,000 NEO orders in a little over two years after launch" making it the fastest selling commercial aircraft in history.[32][33] Significant orders include 150 aircraft from IndiGo,[34][35] 200 from AirAsia, 130 from American Airlines and 174 from Lion Air. The A320neo is planned to enter service in October 2015 with ILFC, 27 years after the first A320 was delivered. This will be followed by the shrunk A319neo and later by the stretched A321neo.

      At the Paris Air Show 2011, Airbus announced that they had orders from GECAS, Scandinavian Airlines, TransAsia Airways, IndiGo, LAN Airlines, AirAsia and GoAir.[36] Airbus also received commitments for 83 A320neo aircraft from Air Lease Corporation and AviancaTaca. A month later American Airlines ordered 130 A320neo's on 20 July 2011, which would cause the airline to cease having an all-Boeing fleet. The order placed on 23 June 2011 by the Malaysian low-cost carrier AirAsia was announced as the largest commercial aviation order at the time.[37] At the 2011 Paris Air Show, the A320neo received a combined total of 667 orders and 83 commitments. The Dubai Airshow in November 2011 saw a further total of 130 orders and 105 commitments by several customers. AirAsia has placed the largest order ever on the A320neo which is 200 planes. On January 25th 2012 Norwegian and Airbus confirmed an order of 100 A320neo.[38]Pegasus Airlines, the second largest airline in Turkey, has signed for up to 100 A320neo Family aircraft, of which 75 (57 A320neo and 18 A321neo models) are firm orders.[39]

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      Specifications

      Specifications are preliminary until design is finished.

      Airbus A320neo
      A319neo A320neo A321neo
      Cockpit crew Two
      Seating capacity 156 (1-class, maximum)
      134 (1-class, typical)
      124 (2-class, typical)      		 180 (1-class, maximum)
      164 (1-class, typical)
      150 (2-class, typical)      		 236[40] (1-class, maximum)
      199 (1-class, typical)
      185 (2-class, typical)
      Cruising speed Mach 0.78 (828 km/h/511 mph at 11,000 m/36,000 ft)
      Maximum speed Mach 0.82 (871 km/h/537 mph at 11,000 m/36,000 ft)
      Maximum range, fully loaded 4,200 nmi (7,800 km; 4,800 mi)[41] 3,700 nmi (6,900 km; 4,300 mi)[41] 3,650 nmi (6,760 km; 4,200 mi)[42]
      Engines (×2) CFM International LEAP or Pratt & Whitney PW1000G
      Fan diameter PW: 81 in (2.1 m), LEAP 1A: 78 in (2.0 m)
      Thrust PW: 24,000–33,000 lbf (110–150 kN)

      Source: Airbus,[43] Airliners.net, Flightglobal.com, Pratt & Whitney,[44] CFM International.

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      See also

      Portal icon Aviation portal

      Related development

      Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

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      References

      1. ^ a b c "New pricelist 2012". Airbus.com. 19 January 2011. Retrieved 2013-05-21. 
      2. ^ "Airbus A320 (A320ceo and A320neo) Aircraft family". Airbus.com. 3 March 2013. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 2013-04-21. 
      3. ^ a b c "Pictures: Airbus aims to thwart Boeing’s narrowbody plans with upgraded 'A320 Enhanced'". Flightglobal. 2006-06-20. Retrieved 2013-03-27. 
      4. ^ "Avianca takes delivery of Sharklet equipped A320". Airbus.com. Retrieved 2013-03-27. 
      5. ^ "A320neo family information, Maximum benefit and minimum change". Airbus.com. 2011-07-01. Retrieved 2011-12-30. 
      6. ^ "Skybus Becomes First North American Operator of Advanced CFM56-5B Tech insertion Engine". Snecma.com. Retrieved 2013-03-27. 
      7. ^ IAE launches ‘V2500 Select’ in bid to cut costs Flightglobal
      8. ^ V2500 SelectOne IAE
      9. ^ "Airbus A320 Aircraft family". Airbus.com. 25 June 2011. Archived from the original on 4 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-26. 
      10. ^ a b "Airbus launches new A320 'Sharklet' wingtips". The Australian. 16 November 2009. Retrieved 2013-05-21. 
      11. ^ "Airbus A320 to Get Sharklets Large Wingtip Devices by the End of 2012". Deagel.com. 15 November 2009. Retrieved 2013-05-21. 
      12. ^ Kingsley-Jones, Max (15 November 2009). "Dubai 09: A320’s sharklets to deliver 3.5% lower fuel burn from 2012". Flightglobal. Retrieved 2013-05-21. 
      13. ^ "Airbus to introduce "Sharklets" on the Air New Zealand A320s in end 2012". Bangalore Aviation. 17 November 2009. Retrieved 2013-05-21. 
      14. ^ Irish, John (15 November 2009). "Airbus says wingtip change to save fuel". Reuters. Retrieved 2013-05-21. 
      15. ^ "Korean Air Aerospace to manufacture and distribute Sharklets". Airbus. 31 May 2010. Retrieved 2013-05-21. 
      16. ^ On board well-being Airbus.com
      17. ^ "Press releases | Airbus, a leading aircraft manufacturer". Airbus.com. Retrieved 2013-03-27. 
      18. ^ Airbus A320 overhead LED lights Youtube video (requires Flash plugin)
      19. ^ Enhanced Fap – Airbus 320 touchscreen display Youtube video (requires Flash plugin)
      20. ^ a b "A320 NEO to have $7-8 million price premium". Flightglobal.com. 2010-08-23. Retrieved 2013-03-27. 
      21. ^ "SINGAPORE 2010: Airbus targets early A320 re-engining decision, 2015 debut". Flightglobal.com. 2010-02-04. Retrieved 2013-03-27. 
      22. ^ Stearns, Jonathan (2010-12-01). "Airbus to Deploy Superjumbo, Military Engineers for A320 NEO". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2013-03-27. 
      23. ^ "TAM becomes first A320neo customer in Latin America". Aviation News. 2011-02-28. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-26. 
      24. ^ "Press Releases". Virgin America. 2011-01-17. Retrieved 2013-03-15. 
      25. ^ a b "Virgin America Cuts Airbus Order, Delays Jets to Survive". Bloomberg. November 16, 2012. 
      26. ^ IN FOCUS: How to power A320neo is tough choice for airlines Flightglobal
      27. ^ a b "Transaero Airlines firms up order for eight A320neo aircraft". Airbus.com. 2011-12-05. Retrieved 2011-12-29. 
      28. ^ "Airbus A320neo information technology". 2011-08-01. Retrieved 2011-12-30. 
      29. ^ "Airbus could eventually offer Neo version of A318: Leahy". Flightglobal. 12 January 2010. Retrieved 2013-05-21. 
      30. ^ "Qatar Airways ends Airbus impasse with $6.5b order". Czechtrade.ae. 2012-05-20. Retrieved 2012-11-05. 
      31. ^ a b "ILFC selects 100 A320neo Family aircraft". Retrieved 2013-05-21. 
      32. ^ "Airbus wins 211 orders and commitments worth US$20.5 billion". Airbus. 2011-11-16. Retrieved 2011-12-31. 
      33. ^ "Turkish Airlines places its biggest order ever with Airbus | Airbus News & Events". Airbus.com. 2013-03-22. Retrieved 2013-03-27. 
      34. ^ Wall, Robert (12 January 2011). "IndiGo Becomes First A320NEO Customer With Huge Order". Aviation Week. Archived from the original on 2012-01-28. Retrieved 2013-05-21. 
      35. ^ Ranson, Lori (11 January 2011). "IndiGo’s potential A320neo order heats up engine competition". Flightglobal. Retrieved 2013-05-21. 
      36. ^ "Home | Paris Air show 2011 | Airbus". Event.airbus.com. Retrieved 2013-03-27. 
      37. ^ [1][dead link]
      38. ^ "Norwegian commits to 100 A320neo aircraft | Airbus News & Events". Airbus.com. Retrieved 2013-03-27. 
      39. ^ 15 March 2013. "Pegasus selects up to 100 A320neo Family Aircraft | Airbus News & Events". Airbus.com. Retrieved 2013-03-15. 
      40. ^ Young, Kathryn M. (2013-02-01). "New Airbus A321neo cabin options to boost revenue potential | Aircraft & Engines content from". ATWOnline. Retrieved 2013-03-27. 
      41. ^ a b "A320 Family" (pdf). AIRBUS S.A.S. 2012-06-04. Retrieved 2013-05-21. 
      42. ^ "Hawaiian signs MOU for 16 A321neos". Flightglobal.com. 2013-01-07. Retrieved 2013-03-27. 
      43. ^ "Airbus A320neo Technology". Airbus.com. 2011-08-01. Retrieved 2011-12-29. 
      44. ^ "Pratt & Whitney: Commercial Engines - PurePower PW1000G". Pw.utc.com. Retrieved 2012-01-14. 
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      Last modified on 13 June 2013, at 21:20