A320neo family

The Airbus A320neo family (neo for new engine option) is a development of the A320

family of narrow-body jet-airliners produced by Airbus. Launched on 1 December 2010, it made
its first flight on 25 September 2014 and it was introduced by Lufthansa on 25 January 2016. Re-
engined with CFM LEAP-1A or Pratt & Whitney PW1000G engines and fitted with sharklets as
standard, it is 15% to 20% more fuel efficient than the A320ceo family. The A320neo family is
based on the previous A319, A320 and A321. As of February 2021, a total of 7,372 A320neo family
aircraft had been ordered by more than 115 airlines, making it the fastest selling commercial
aircraft ever.

Desarrollo

In 2006 Airbus started the A320 Enhanced (A320E) programme as a series of improvements
targeting a 4–5% efficiency gain with large winglets (2%), aerodynamic refinements (1%), weight
savings and a new aircraft cabin. At the time Airbus' Sales Chief John Leahy said "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".[5]

NEW ENGINE OPTION

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 nmi). Compared to the re-engine improvement of 15%, an all-new single-aisle
would have brought only 3% more gain while high volume manufacturing in carbon fibre could be
much more expensive.[7]

At the February 2010 Singapore Air Show, Airbus said its decision to launch was scheduled for the
July 2010 Farnborough Air Show.[8] The decision had still not been taken by August, but the engine
choice included the CFM International LEAP-1A and the Pratt & Whitney PW1000G, with 20%
lower maintenance cost than current A320 engines. The new engines burn 16% less fuel, though
the actual gain is slightly less as 1–2% is typically lost when installed on an existing aircraft.[9]

On 1 December 2010, Airbus launched the A320neo "New Engine Option" with 500 nmi (930 km)
more range or 2 t (4,400 lb) more payload, and planned to deliver 4,000 over 15 years.
[10]
 Development costs were predicted to be "slightly more than €1 billion [$1.3 billion]". The neo
list price would be $6 million more than the ceo, including $3.5 million for airframe modifications
and around $0.9 million for the sharklets. The A320neo was slated for service entry in spring 2016,
the A321neo six months later and the A319neo six months after that.[11]

The 2010 order for 40 Bombardier CS300s (now known as Airbus 220-300) and 40 options
from Republic Airways Holdings – then owner of exclusive A319/320 operator Frontier Airlines –
pushed Airbus into the re-engine. Airbus COO-customers John Leahy decided against ignoring the
CSeries and allowing it to grow, as Boeing had previously done with Airbus, and instead
aggressively competed against Bombardier Aerospace.[12]
Introduction was then advanced to October 2015.[13] Airbus claims a 15% fuel saving and "over 95
percent airframe commonality with the current A320".[14] Its commonality helped to reduce delays
associated with large changes.[15] In March 2013, airlines' choices between the two engines were
almost equal.[16]

The new "Space-Flex" optional cabin configuration increases space-efficiency with a new
rear galley configuration and a "Smart-Lav" modular lavatory design – allowing an in-flight change
of two lavatories into one accessible toilet.[17] The rearranged cabin allows up to 20 more
passengers for the A321neo without "putting more sardines in the can" with the larger "Cabin-
Flex" modified exits described below.[18] Total fuel consumption per seat is reduced by over 20%,
while the rearranged cabin allows up to nine more passengers for the A320neo.[19]

The first Airbus A320neo rolled out of the Toulouse factory on 1 July 2014 and first flight was
scheduled for September 2014.[20]