First introduced to the market in 2017 with Virgin America, the Airbus A321neo
is one of the most advanced and capable narrowbody aircraft in the market today. With over 1,500 of the type in service, the plane is one of the most commonly used by legacy airlines in the United States, especially on transcontinental routes where the long-range narrow body is the most efficient.
With the longest fuselage and highest capacity of any Airbus narrowbody aircraft currently in service with commercial airlines, the jet is optimized for medium-haul routes with high levels of demand, and some carriers have even begun to use the aircraft for long-haul transatlantic services. With around 500 additional nautical miles of range and a 20% reduction in fuel burn in comparison to its predecessors, the A321neo’s Pratt & Whitney PW1100G or CFM International LEAP 1A engines are responsible for a significant portion of the aircraft’s next-generation capabilities.
Some US carriers rely on the Airbus A321neo more than others, likely due to the transcontinental nature of certain networks and also due to different levels of market demand experienced by the different airlines on their medium-haul routes. Let’s take a deeper look at the five US airlines that operate the most flights with the Airbus A321neo this upcoming December.
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The legacy carrier has 81 examples in its fleet, making an average age of 3.9 years.
1
American Airlines
Number of A321neo aircraft in service: 82
|
Number of flights: |
7,156 |
|---|---|
|
Number of seats: |
1,398,076 |
|
Number of Available Seat Miles (ASMs): |
2,468,861,788 |
Dallas-based legacy carrier American Airlines is the nation’s largest operator of the Airbus A321neo and uses the jet extensively on its cross-country network. With major coastal hubs at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), the A321neo is optimized to serve many of these medium-haul transcontinental routes. The aircraft is also used extensively on the airline’s Latin American network, which features some routes that are ideal for Airbus A321neo services.
Photo: Robin Guest | Shutterstock
The airline has two different sets of Airbus A321neo jets, with 72 that were originally ordered by the airline and feature its original configuration and 10 additional units that were purchased from Alaska Airlines, which inherited the jets after its merger with Virgin America. The airline also maintains outstanding orders for over 80 units of the plane. All the airline’s A321neo aircraft feature a combination of standard domestic first-class seats, regular main cabin seats, and extra-legroom main cabin seats.
2
Delta Air Lines
Number of A321neo aircraft in service: 67
|
Number of flights: |
5,745 |
|---|---|
|
Number of seats: |
1,114,530 |
|
Number of Available Seat Miles (ASMs): |
2,196,215,218 |
Delta Air Lines also operates a transcontinental network that caters to hyper-efficient long-range widebodies like the Airbus A321neo. With major hubs at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL), New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and others, the airline’s transcontinental network is truly extensive.
Photo: Angel DiBilio | Shutterstock
The airline’s fleet is equipped with multiple different A321neo configurations, with some units featuring a traditional domestic first class and economy configuration. Other units, however, feature lie-flat business class seats, a premium economy cabin, and a standard economy class cabin, making the aircraft optimized to serve transcontinental and international overnight routes with high levels of premium demand.
3
Frontier Airlines
Number of A321neo aircraft in service: 39
|
Number of flights: |
5,461 |
|---|---|
|
Number of seats: |
1,310,640 |
|
Number of Available Seat Miles (ASMs): |
1,351,458,000 |
Denver-based low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines is the largest budget airline operator of the Airbus A321neo today. With a higher capacity and superior fuel efficiency, the next-generation narrowbody jet is ideal for Frontier’s complex network, which includes many operational bases spread across the country.
Photo: christopheronglv | Shutterstock
The airline often utilizes the aircraft on many of its longer point-to-point routes to popular leisure destinations in Latin America, taking advantage of its extended-range capabilities. The carrier is set to have one of the largest A321neo fleets in the United States, with over 110 additional units still on order from the European manufacturer.
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4
Spirit Airlines
Number of A321neo aircraft in service: 91
|
Number of flights: |
3,311 |
|---|---|
|
Number of seats: |
758,219 |
|
Number of Available Seat Miles (ASMs): |
829,323,500 |
One of the largest operators of the Airbus A321neo by current fleet, Spirit Airlines comes in fourth on our list, serving dozens of routes with its fleet of next-generation narrowbodies. With 91 currently in the fleet, the airline still has outstanding orders for another 34 units.
Photo: Robin Guess | Shutterstock
It is unclear how exactly the airline’s recent filing for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection is set to affect the company’s future Airbus A321neo network. All Spirit Airlines A321neo units feature 176 seats.
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The accident prompted a ripple effect on the Atlanta-based carrier’s other flights.
5
United Airlines
Number of A321neo aircraft in service: 21
|
Number of flights: |
1,755 |
|---|---|
|
Number of seats: |
351,000 |
|
Number of Available Seat Miles (ASMs): |
461,629,800 |
The final entry on our list is Chicago-based legacy carrier United Airlines, which also uses the A321neo to serve destinations across its transcontinental network. With coastal hubs like Newark Liberty International Airport (IAD), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), and San Francisco International Airport (SFO), the A321neo is optimized for the airline’s network.
Photo: Robin Guess | Shutterstock
United is undoubtedly one of the carriers most anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Airbus A321XLR, which is set to change the airline’s network with a game-changing range. According to Business Insider, United has ordered 50 units of the Airbus A321XLR and is set to use the jets to replace its aging fleet of Boeing 757-200 aircraft.