Airbus A321
Discover more about the Airbus A321, including technical specifications, features and which airlines use the Airbus A321.
About the Airbus A321
Learn more about the Airbus A321
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About the Airbus A321
The Airbus A321 is a short to medium-range, narrow-body (single aisle), commercial passenger twin-engine jet airliner. It was the first derivative of the Airbus A320 family and remains the best-selling aircraft of the family, providing passengers with the widest cabin than competitors -allowing it to offer wider seats for extra comfort.
The Airbus A321 entered service in 1994 with Lufthansa. As of August 2019, 1,959 Airbus A321 aircraft have been delivered, with 1,932 currently in service. The largest operators of the A321 are American Airlines, with 225 craft in their fleet, and China Southern Airlines, with 125 A321 in their fleet.
The Airbus A321neo
In December 2010, Airbus announced a new generation of the A320 family: the A320neo. The A321 variant, the A321neo, has been designed and built to be more efficient - delivering fuel savings of up to 15%. The A321neo carries up to 236 passengers, with optimised cabin space and configurations.
Technical Specifications of the Airbus A321
Airbus A321:
- Range: 5,930 kilometres (3,682 miles)
- Length: 44.51 meters (146 feet)
- Wing Span: 35.80 meters (117 feet)
- Passengers (1-Class): 236
- Passengers (2-Class): 185
- Speed: 450-473 knots (833-876 kilometres per hour)
Airbus A321neo:
- Range: 7,410 kilometres (4,602 miles)
- Length: 44.51 meters (146 feet)
- Wing Span: 35.80 meters (117 feet)
- Passengers (1-Class): 240
- Passengers (2-Class): 185
- Speed: 450-473 knots (833-876 kilometres per hour)
Passenger features of the Airbus A321
What is the onboard experience like?
The onboard experience will depend on the airline you are flying with. American carriers tend to employ a better onboard product on the 321's than European carriers, which tend to prioritise capacity. Check out JetBlue's premium 'Mint' offering, which features lie-flat seats, sleek interiors and tons of free entertainment.
More seat width
The A321 has a wider cabin than its competitors, meaning passengers can enjoy up to 18-inch wide seats.
The extra width of the cabin also means a wider aisle, making is easier for both passengers and flight attendants to walk up the aisle, and enables passengers to stretch and move about comfortably.
More storage space
The greater width of the cabin also means more overhead storage, allowing passengers board and disembark with maximum ease.
These are the airlines which have the highest number of Airbus A321 in their fleet.
The top 12 Airlines that use the Airbus A321
How can I book flights on the Airbus A321?
When you search for flights through Alternative Airlines, it is quick and easy to see which plane will be used on each flight. Just click on the details icon on the flight that you want to search to see if it will be operated with an Airbus A321.
Visit our page 'What aircraft will I fly on?' for more information on how to check which aircraft you will be flying on.
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Airbus A321 FAQs
How does the A321 compare with the A320?
The A321 was launced just a year after the A320, which rocketed the company into a household name. The A320 has a better range, however the A321 can fit more passengers, so it depends on the priority and needs of the airline. There have been a total of 4,704 deliveries of the A320, compared to 1,718 total deliveries of the A321.
What is the seating configuration in the A321?
The A321 is a narrow-body aircraft, meaning it has a single aisle. The seating configuration will depend on the airline as well as the Class. Standard Economy is usually configured in a 3-3 formation.