Airbus A321

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The Airbus A321 is a member of the Airbus A320 family of short to medium range, narrow-body, commercial passenger twin engine jet airliners;Template:Efn it carries 185 to 239 passengers. It has a stretched fuselage which was the first derivative of the baseline A320 and entered service in 1994, about six years after the original A320. The aircraft shares a common type rating with all other Airbus A320-family variants, allowing A320-family pilots to fly the aircraft without the need for further training.

In December 2010, Airbus announced a new generation of the A320 family, the A320neo (new engine option).[1] The similarly lengthened fuselage A321neo variant offers new, more efficient engines, combined with airframe improvements and the addition of winglets (called Sharklets by Airbus). The aircraft delivers fuel savings of up to 15%. The A321neo carries up to 244 passengers, with a maximum range of Template:Cvt for the long-range version when carrying no more than 206 passengers.[2]

Final assembly of the aircraft takes place in Hamburg, Germany, Mobile, Alabama, United States, Tianjin, China,[3] and Toulouse, France.[4] since June 2025Template:Dated maintenance category (articles)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters"., a total of 3,536 A321 airliners have been delivered, of which 3,453 are in service. In addition, another 5,312 A321neo aircraft are on firm order. American Airlines is the largest operator of the Airbus A321 with 302 examples in its fleet.[5]

Development

File:Lufthansa.a321-100.d-aire.arp.jpg
The A321 entered service in January 1994 with Lufthansa; seen here is an A321-100.

The Airbus A321 was the first derivative of the A320, also known as the Stretched A320, A320-500 and A325.[6][7] Its launch came on 24 November 1988, around the same time as the A320 entered service, after commitments for 183 aircraft from 10 customers were secured.[6][8]

File:A321 final assembly (9351765668).jpg
An Airbus A321 on final assembly line 3 in the Airbus Hamburg-Finkenwerder plant

The maiden flight of the Airbus A321 came on 11 March 1993, when the prototype, registration F-WWIA, flew with IAE V2500 engines; the second prototype, equipped with CFM56-5B turbofans, flew in May 1993. Lufthansa and Alitalia were the first to order the stretched Airbuses, with 20 and 40 aircraft requested, respectively. The first of Lufthansa's V2500-A5-powered A321s arrived on 27 January 1994, while Alitalia received its first CFM56-5B-powered aircraft on 22 March 1994.[9] The A321-100 entered service in January 1994 with Lufthansa.[10]

Final assembly for the A321 was carried out in Germany (then West Germany), a first for any Airbus.[11] This came after a dispute between the French, who claimed that the move would incur $150 million (€135 million) in unnecessary expenditure associated with the new plant,[6] and the Germans, who claimed that it would be more productive for Airbus in the long run. The second production line was located in Hamburg, which later produced the smaller Airbus A319 and A318. For the first time, Airbus entered the bond market, through which it raised $480 million (€475 million) to finance development costs.[8] An additional $180 million (€175 million) was borrowed from European Investment Bank and private investors.[12]

The A321 is the largest variant of the A320 family.[13][2] The A321-200's length exceeds Template:Cvt, increasing maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) to Template:Cvt.[6] Wingspan remained unchanged, supplementing various wingtip devices. Two suppliers provided turbofan engines for the A321: CFM International with its CFM56 and International Aero Engines with the V2500 engine, both in the thrust range of Template:Cvt.

Over 30 years since launch, the A321 MTOW grew by 20% from the Template:Cvt -100 to the Template:Cvt A321XLR, seating became 10% more dense with 244 seats, up by 24, and range doubled from Template:Cvt.[14] By 2019, 4,200 had been ordered—one-quarter of all Airbus single-aisles—including 2,400 neos, one-third of all A320neo orders.[14]

Design

File:Airbus A321-..., Lufthansa AN0620267.jpg
The A321 has double-slotted flaps.

The Airbus A321 is a narrow-body (single-aisle) aircraft with a retractable tricycle landing gear, powered by two wing pylon-mounted turbofan engines. It is a low-wing cantilever monoplane with a conventional tail unit having a single vertical stabilizer and rudder. Changes from the A320 include a fuselage stretch and some modifications to the wing. The fuselage was lengthened by a Template:Cvt plug ahead of the wing and a Template:Cvt plug behind it, making the A321 Script error: No such module "convert". longer than the A320.[2][13][6][15] The length increase required the overwing window exits of the A320 to be converted into door exits and repositioned in front of and behind the wings.[9] To maintain performance, double-slotted flaps and minor trailing edge modifications were included,[6] increasing the wing area from Template:Cvt to Template:Cvt.[16] The centre fuselage and undercarriage were reinforced to accommodate a Template:Cvt increase in maximum takeoff weight, taking it to Template:Cvt.[6]

Variants

The variants of A321ceo and A321neo family aircraft are mainly defined by its cabin layout and fuel configuration.

Airbus offers customers with only one fuel configuration with the A321-100.

Airbus offers customers with 3 different fuel configuration options with the A321-200: customers can select up to 2 auxiliary fuel tanks (ACT) in the after cargo hold.

Airbus offers customers with 4 different fuel configuration options with the standard A321neo: customers can select up to 1 auxiliary fuel tank (ACT) in the front cargo hold and up to 2 ACTs in the after cargo hold. The A321neo-ACF with 3 ACTs is exclusively branded as A321LR (Long Range).

Airbus offers customers with 2 different fuel configuration options with the A321XLR: customers can select up to 1 ACT in the front cargo hold.

A321ceo & A321neo family variants[17]
Marketing name Cabin Fuel config Fuel capacity Cargo
Front Rear
A321-100 CFMI STD — — Script error: No such module "convert". 10*LD3-45
A321-100 IAE Script error: No such module "convert". 10*LD3-45
A321-200 CFMI — Script error: No such module "convert". 10*LD3-45
1ACT Script error: No such module "convert". 9*LD3-45
2ACT Script error: No such module "convert". 8*LD3-45
A321-200 IAE — Script error: No such module "convert". 10*LD3-45
1ACT Script error: No such module "convert". 9*LD3-45
2ACT Script error: No such module "convert". 8*LD3-45
A321neo — Script error: No such module "convert". 10*LD3-45
1ACT Script error: No such module "convert". 9*LD3-45
2ACT Script error: No such module "convert". 8*LD3-45
A321neo ACF ACF — Script error: No such module "convert". 10*LD3-45
1ACT Script error: No such module "convert". 9*LD3-45
2ACT Script error: No such module "convert". 8*LD3-45
A321LR 1ACT 2ACT Script error: No such module "convert". 7*LD3-45
A321XLR — 1RCT Script error: No such module "convert". 8*LD3-45
1ACT 1RCT Script error: No such module "convert". 7*LD3-45
File:Airbus A32X family v1.0.png
Airbus A32X family
File:N162UW (45250787704).jpg
The A320's overwing exits were replaced by type 'C' doors in front of and behind the wings for the A321, although some A321neos with the Cabin Flex arrangement kept the overwing exits.

A321-100

The original derivative of the A321, the A321-100, had shorter range than the A320 because no extra fuel tank was added to compensate for the increased weight. The MTOW of the A321-100 is Template:Cvt. The A321-100 entered service with Lufthansa in 1994. Only about 90 were produced; a few were later converted to the A321-200 variant.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

A321-200

Airbus began development of the heavier and longer-range A321-200 in 1995 to give the A321 full-passenger transcontinental US range. This was achieved through higher thrust engines (V2533-A5 or CFM56-5B3), minor structural strengthening, and an increase in fuel capacity with the installation of one or two optional Template:Cvt tanks in the rear underfloor hold.[15] The additional fuel tanks increased the total capacity to Template:Cvt. These modifications also increased the maximum takeoff weight of the A321-200 to Template:Cvt. This variant first flew in December 1996, and entered service with Monarch Airlines in April 1997. The following month, Middle East Airlines received its first A321-200 in May 1997. Its direct competitors include the 757-200 and the 737-900/900ER.

A321neo

File:Tc-lsa (42253295235).jpg
The A321neo has larger CFM LEAP or PW1000G turbofans. This Turkish Airlines A321neo has PW1000G engines.

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On 1 December 2010, Airbus launched the A320neo family (neo for New Engine Option) with Template:Cvt more range and 15% better fuel efficiency, thanks to new CFM International LEAP-1A or Pratt & Whitney PW1000G engines and large sharklets.[18] The lengthened A321neo prototype made its first flight on 9 February 2016.[19] It received its type certification on 15 December 2016.[20] The first entered service in May 2017 with Virgin America.[21]

A321LR

File:4X-AGK Independence Day 09-05-2019b.jpg
An Arkia A321LR in 2019

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From October 2014, Airbus started marketing a longer range, Template:Cvt maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) variant with three auxiliary fuel tanks, and launched it as the A321LR (Long Range) on 13 January 2015, with a range of Template:Cvt in a two-class, 206 seat configuration,[22][23] giving it Template:Cvt more operational range than a Boeing 757-200.[24]

On 31 January 2018, the variant completed its first flight,[25] and on 2 October 2018, Airbus announced its certification.[26] On 13 November 2018, the first A321LR went to operator Arkia.[27]

A321XLR

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File:Iberia Airbus A321XLR EC-OIL on final approach to Boston March 2025 2.jpg
An A321XLR of launch customer Iberia

The A321XLR is an A321LR variant with a further increased MTOW[28] intended to compete with the Boeing NMA,[29] which has since been put on hold.

The variant was launched at the June 2019 Paris Air Show, with a range of Template:Cvt. It included a new permanent Rear Centre Tank (RCT) for more fuel, a strengthened landing gear for a Template:Cvt MTOW and an optimised wing trailing-edge flap configuration to preserve take-off performance.[30]

In June 2022, the A321XLR completed its first flight.[31] Aer Lingus was originally to be the launch customer of the A321XLR. However, due to internal pilot contract disputes, the first A321XLR was instead delivered to Iberia on October 30, 2024.[32] The first flight with passengers was on November 6, 2024.[33][34] The first long-haul flight with passengers was on 14 November 2024, from Madrid to Boston.[35]

Freighter conversion

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While no freighter version of the A321 has been built new by Airbus, a first attempt of converting used A320/321 into freighter aircraft was undertaken by Airbus Freighter Conversion GmbH. The program, however, was canceled in 2011 before any aircraft were converted.[36]

On 17 June 2015, ST Aerospace signed agreements with Airbus and EFW for a collaboration to launch the A320/A321 passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion programme.[37] The initial converted aircraft first flew on 22 January 2020. On 27 October 2020, the first A321-200P2F was delivered to launch operator Qantas Freight.[38]

The A321-200PCF is a passenger to freighter conversion, developed by Precision Conversions and certificated in 2021.

Sine Draco Aviation also offers an A321 passenger-to-freighter conversion programme; its first conversion is expected for the first quarter of 2022.[39]

On 15 March 2022, Lufthansa Cargo started to operate its A321F, a cargo variant of the A321.[40]

Operators

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". since June 2025Template:Dated maintenance category (articles)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters"., 3,453 Airbus A321 aircraft (1701 ceo+1752 neo) were in service with more than 100 operators.[5] American Airlines and Delta Air Lines operate the largest A321 fleets of 302 and 203 aircraft, respectively.[5]

Orders and deliveries

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Type Orders Deliveries
Total Backlog Total 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
A321ceo 1,784 — 1,784 — — — — 22 9 38 99 183 222 184
A321neo 7,064 5,312 1,752 143 361 317 264 199 178 168 102 20 — —
(A321) (8,848) (5,312) (3,536) (143) (361) (317) (264) (221) (187) (206) (201) (203) (222) (184)
Type Deliveries
2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
A321ceo 150 102 83 66 51 87 66 51 30 17 35 33 35 49 28 33 35 22 16 22 16
A321neo — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
(A321) (150) (102) (83) (66) (51) (87) (66) (51) (30) (17) (35) (33) (35) (49) (28) (33) (35) (22) (16) (22) (16)

Data since June 2025Template:Dated maintenance category (articles)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".[5][41]

Accidents and incidents

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For the Airbus A321, 32 aviation accidents and incidents have occurred,[42] including six hull-loss accidents or criminal occurrences with a total of 377 fatalities as of August 2019.[43][44]

Specifications

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Variant A321[2] A321neo[45] A321LR A321XLR
Cockpit crew Two
2-class seats 185 (16F @ 36 in, 169Y @ 32 in)[46] 206 (16J @ 36Script error: No such module "String".in + 190Y @ 30Script error: No such module "String".in)[47]
1-class max. 220 @ 28Script error: No such module "String".in[48][49] 220 @ 28Script error: No such module "String".in (Original)
244 @ 28Script error: No such module "String".in (Cabin-Flex)[50][51] 		244 @ 28Script error: No such module "String".in[50]
Cargo capacity Template:Cvt / 10×LD3-45sTemplate:Efn
Length Template:Cvt
Wingspan Template:CvtTemplate:Efn
Wing Template:Cvt area, 25° sweep[52]
Height Template:Cvt
Fuselage Template:Cvt width × height, Template:Cvt wide cabin
Max. takeoff weight Template:Cvt Template:Cvt Template:Cvt
Max. payload Template:Cvt Template:Cvt[53]Template:Rp
Op. empty weight Template:Cvt[46] Template:Cvt
Fuel capacity Template:Cvt Template:CvtTemplate:Efn Template:CvtTemplate:Efn Template:Cvt
Engines (×2) CFM56-5B, Template:Cvt fan
IAE V2500-A5, Template:Cvt fan 		CFM LEAP-1A, 78 in (1.98 m) fan
PW1100G-JM, 81 in (2.06 m) fan
Max. thrust (×2)[54] Template:Cvt Template:Cvt
Speed Cruise: Template:Cvt[55]
Max.: Template:Cvt[54]
Ceiling Template:Cvt[54]
Typical range Template:CvtTemplate:Efn Template:Cvt[56] Template:CvtTemplate:Efn Template:Cvt

Engines

Template:Sticky header

Aircraft model Certification date Engines[54] Take-off thrust Max. continuous
A321-111 27 May 1994 CFM56-5B1 Template:Cvt Template:Cvt
A321-112 15 February 1994 CFM56-5B2 or 5B2/P Template:Cvt Template:Cvt
A321-131 17 December 1993 IAE V2530-A5 Template:Cvt Template:Cvt
A321-211 20 March 1997 CFM56-5B3 or 5B3/P or 5B3/2P Template:Cvt Template:Cvt
A321-212 31 August 2001 CFM56-5B1 or 5B1/P or 5B1/2P Template:Cvt Template:Cvt
A321-213 31 August 2001 CFM56-5B2 or 5B2/P Template:Cvt Template:Cvt
A321-231 20 March 1997 IAE V2533-A5 Template:Cvt Template:Cvt
A321-232 31 August 2001 IAE V2530-A5 Template:Cvt Template:Cvt
A321-251N 15 December 2016 CFM LEAP-1A32 Template:Cvt Template:Cvt
A321-252N 18 December 2017 CFM LEAP-1A30 Template:Cvt Template:Cvt
A321-253N 3 March 2017 CFM LEAP-1A33 Template:Cvt Template:Cvt
A321-271N 15 December 2016 PW1133G-JM Template:Cvt Template:Cvt
A321-272N 23 May 2017 PW1130G-JM Template:Cvt Template:Cvt
A321-251NX 22 March 2018 CFM LEAP-1A32 Template:Cvt Template:Cvt
A321-252NX 22 March 2018 CFM LEAP-1A30 Template:Cvt Template:Cvt
A321-253NX 22 March 2018 CFM LEAP-1A33 Template:Cvt Template:Cvt
A321-271NX 22 March 2018 PW1133G-JM Template:Cvt Template:Cvt
A321-272NX 22 March 2018 PW1130G-JM Template:Cvt Template:Cvt

See also

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Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

Notes

Template:Notelist

References

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  5. ↑ a b c d Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
  6. ↑ a b c d e f g Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "Footnotes".
  13. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  23. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  26. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  28. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  29. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  30. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  31. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  32. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  33. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  34. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  35. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  36. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  37. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  38. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  39. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  40. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  41. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  42. ↑ Airbus A321 occurrences Template:Webarchive. Aviation Safety, 3 October 2017.
  43. ↑ Airbus A321 hull-loss occurrences Template:Webarchive. Aviation Safety, 3 October 2017.
  44. ↑ A321 accident statistics Template:Webarchive. Aviation Safety, 3 October 2017.
  45. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  46. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  47. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  48. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  49. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  50. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  51. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  52. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  53. ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
  54. ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  55. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  56. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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External links

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