Airbus A321

The Airbus A321 is a short to medium range, narrow-bodied, twin-engine jet airliner, the A320 family second and largest variant (includes the A318, A319, A320, A321, and the ACJ business jet).

It varies from the A320, with the fuselage lengthened by 4.27 m (14 ft). The maiden flight took place on March 11, 1993, entering service in January 1994 with Lufthansa.

Manufactured in two variants: the A321-100, approximately 90 built, and the heavier, longer rang A320-200. In December 2010, Airbus launched the A321neo (new engine option) with more efficient engines, airframe improvements and large sharklets.

The airframe uses aramid fibre composites, glass fibre and carbon fibre reinforced plastics, and aluminium alloys. The fuselage is a semi-monocoque design, with a glass cockpit and broader cabin than competitors. 3.95 metres (156 in) outside diameter vs 3.8 m (148 in) of the Boeing 737 or 757. Wings are low mount cantilever swept-back design with a conventional single-fin tail. The undercarriage is a retractable tricycle type with the primary units mounted in the wing roots retracting inward into the fuselage. The flight crew consists of two pilots, and the passenger cabin typical seats 185 to 206, four abreast in two classes.

Powered by two CFM International CFM56 or International Aero Engines (IAE) V2500 high bypass turbofan engines, pylon mounted one under each wing. In addition, the A321neo uses the Pratt & Whitney PW1000G or CFM International LEAP engines that offer lower maintenance costs and about 15% better fuel economy. The A321 has a cruise speed of 833 km/h (517 mph), a range of 5,930 km (3,684 mi) and a service ceiling: 12,100 m (39,800 ft).