Airbus A321neo is the latest development of the A320 family , which is the most sucessful airliner in the commercial aviation market. With expanded seating capacity and optimised use of cabin space, increased exit limits and a new cabin door configuration. This “Cabin-Flex” option increased the jetliner’s maximum capacity to 244 seats, while still providing high levels of passenger comfort.
Airbus launched the sharklet blended wingtip device during the November 2009 Dubai Airshow. The installation adds 200 kilograms (440 lb) but offers a 3.5% fuel burn reduction on flights over 2,800 km (1,500 nm).
Fly-by-wire (FBW) is a system that replaces the conventional manual flight controls of an aircraft with an electronic interface. The movements of flight controls are converted to electronic signals transmitted by wires, and flight control computers determine how to move the actuators at each control surface to provide the ordered response. The Airbus A320 family was the first commercial airliner to feature a full glass cockpit and digital fly-by-wire flight control system.
The A321neo provides minimum change with maximum benefit through incorporation of two new engine choices – CFM International's LEAP-1A and Pratt & Whitney's PurePower PW1100G-JM geared turbofan – along with fuel-saving wingtip devices Sharklet, offering maximum benefit delivering per seat fuel improvements of 20%, along with additional range of up to 500 nautical miles.
