Airbus a321 231 narrowbody Turkish airlines. Cabin layout and the best seats on the Airbus A321 aircraft of Turkish Airlines. History and characteristics

The Airbus A321-100 aircraft entered service in early 1994 and are currently the largest members of the A320 family. The A321 received an elongated fuselage compared to other models in the series, and at the same time increased passenger capacity. The A320 family of aircraft is known for its spacious passenger compartment with spacious niches for hand luggage, large lower deck loading capacity and wide hatches for loading luggage. Their serial production is located in Hamburg-Finkenwerder (Germany) and Toulouse (France).

A little history

The initial version of the A321-100 failed to compete with the American Boeing plane 757-200, as a result of which in 1994 the German company DASA, part of the consortium Airbus Industry, came up with an initiative for an improved version of the airliner with increased take-off weight and flight range. The updated version was offered to airlines that operate long-haul flights in the European region, as well as to companies operating non-stop flights, connecting the eastern and west coast USA.

A321 in the air

The A321-200, as a result of modifications to its predecessor, acquired a greater flight range and take-off weight. The development of the “hundredth” model was carried out over two years: from 1994 to 1996. This was necessary in order to compete with Boeing. Thanks to its characteristics and reliability, this aircraft still looks worthy even among its younger counterparts.

Note! The A321, thanks to its fuel economy and large cabin capacity, has the lowest estimated cost per kilometer of travel per passenger of any narrowbody aircraft, meaning that each kilometer traveled on the A321 is cheaper for any traveler than on other narrowbody aircraft.

Despite a fairly long period of time since the start of production of the A321, this model is still being refined and modernized, adjusting its characteristics to modern aircraft manufacturing requirements. IN this moment The company is actively working to introduce advanced powertrains for the A321. The modernization course is carried out under the name New Engine Option; in the future, the aircraft are planned to be supplied with CFM International LEAP-X and Pratt & Whitney PW1000G engines. Their feature can be considered an additional 16% fuel savings, however, the actual data is usually slightly less than stated, since often when upgrading an existing model these values are slightly lower. The use of improved engines, according to preliminary calculations, should increase the maximum possible flight length by 950 km, and the maximum lifting weight by 2 tons.

Interesting to know! To increase flight range and reduce operating costs, special modifications for Sharkle wings are being installed on the A320 model range as part of the NEO program. Their prototype, winglets, were first used exclusively on Boeing aircraft, starting with the 1985 model 747-400. After careful analysis and refinement of the winglet shape, Airbus patented its design under the original name Sharklets.

Sharklets

Aircraft characteristics

For optimal evaluation and the right choice For the best seats in the aircraft cabin, you should find out in advance how many rows are available on the plane and study the appropriate layout of the vessel, which is assigned to the desired flight. However, to determine quality seats Almost any liner design can be used.

The physical dimensions of the Airbus A321 cabin allow you to accommodate from 170 passengers in a cabin consisting of two classes, or up to 220 people using seats of one class, which is quite enough for charter and budget flights, in addition, it is worth considering that the length of flights of this model can reach 5500 km.

In total, about a dozen different modifications of the Airbus A321 were created, which are designed for flights that differ in duration and number of seats belonging to different classes. For example, for low-cost or charter flights, the stock equipment is converted in order to increase cabin capacity, as a result of which the economy class is expanded to 220 seats. In this configuration, the entire cabin is one class.

Who operates the A321

The Airbus A321 aircraft is used by such companies as:

Aegean Airlines;
Air Canada;
Air China;
Air France;
Air India;
Alitalia;
American Airlines;
Atlasglobal (Atlas Global);
Austrian Airlines;
British Airways;
Egyptair;
Finnair;
Iberia;
Lufthansa;
Onur Air (Onur Air);
Qatar Airways (Qatar Airlines);
SAS - Scandinavian Airlines;
SWISS International Air Lines;
Turkish Airlines;
Wizz Air;
"Aeroflot - Russian Airlines";
Red Wings;
"North wind";
S7 Airways (“Siberia”);
"Ural Airlines";
"Yamal" and others.

A321 schemes

The cabin layout of the Airbus A321, which is preferred by the well-known Aeroflot, is especially popular.

Scheme 1

Rows 1-7. They are seats that are classified as business class, but it is worth noting that the first and seventh rows among them provide minimal comfort. This is due to the fact that in front of the first row of seats there is a wall of technical rooms and literally next to it there is a restroom stall, and the seventh row borders on the noisy economy class, which can cause inconvenience. Therefore, when choosing seats in the business category, you should choose tickets closer to the center of the class.

8 row. The best seats in the budget category, due to the additional free space due to the location of the emergency exit in front of this row. Therefore, they are deservedly called the most comfortable “economy” class seats of all available on an aircraft of this model; an additional advantage will be their placement at the beginning of the cabin, because, as you know, passenger service occurs in the direction from the first rows to the last. This means a much larger range of food and drinks compared to other passengers.

Rows 9-17. Ordinary places in the budget category, without any differences.

18th row. The seats in this row are also considered standard; the only obstacles are the toilets nearby, as a result of which discomfort may arise due to the constant movements of passengers and crowds of people wanting to visit the restroom, which creates unnecessary tension and will not only distract, but also possibly irritate.

Row 19 In all aspects, this row is identical in comfort to the eighth row. There is also free legroom here, but the proximity of the restrooms makes this row much less comfortable.

20 row. The places located here are worth noting as quite comfortable. The attractiveness of this series is due not only free space for your feet, but also the opportunity to enjoy the panoramas of the earth’s surface opening outside the windows immediately after takeoff.

In row 30 (seats C and D) - all the inconveniences are due to the proximity to the toilet.

31 row. The 31st row in the Airbus deserves special attention: in addition to the unpleasant sensations caused by the proximity of the toilets to the passenger seats, it is also impossible to adjust the tilt of the seat back, since there is a partition behind it.

Important! Tickets for this row are purchased as a last resort, in the absence of other options, since they are considered the worst seats on the plane.

Scheme 2

The following cabin layout for the Airbus A321 is a similar layout - 16 business class seats and 167 economy class seats on board. This class arrangement is the second most popular at Aeroflot; in particular, it is used on the following airliners:

VP-BJX;
VP-BEW;
VP-BKI;
VP-BAE;
VP-BAF;
VP-BAY;
VP-BJX;
VP-BAZ;
VP-BFF;
VP-BJX;
VP-BFQ;
VP-BFK;
VP-BJX;
VP-BFX;
VP-BJX;
VP-BKQ.

Scheme 3

The third cabin configuration is almost identical to the previous one, but less common - it is used on only 6 Aeroflot aircraft: VP-BAV, VP-BAX, VP-BEG, VP-BES, VP-BEA, VP-BEE.

Scheme 4

Airbus 321-200 airliners are also operated by such airlines as Nordwind Airlines. It uses a modification with a single-class cabin, which can transport 220 people - such aircraft are often used on short and medium distances and on flights with average passenger traffic.

The same modification is used by the Red Wings company, as well as Ural Airlines. The latter has about 15 Airbus A321 aircraft with this cabin layout. For travelers who often use the services of these airlines, it is advisable to consider the aircraft layout in detail and determine the seats in the Airbus A 321 where the passenger will be most comfortable during the flight.

Note! On the official website of Ural Airlines, the diagram of the Airbus 321 aircraft is drawn up in a not very convenient form, - it does not indicate the numbers and letter designations of the seats, so the features are further discussed using the example of the Airbus A321, the layout of the Nord Wind airline.

Row 1 has both positive sides, and negative. There is a wall in front, which makes it a little difficult to find a comfortable leg position, but it should also be noted that this is the first row, so there will be no person reclining the seat. Close location on-board kitchen and the toilet adds inconvenience to these places, but passenger service begins from here.

9F and 23F row. The seat backs cannot be adjusted due to the partition located behind them, which causes some discomfort - being in an upright position for the entire flight is not very convenient.

10 and 24 A, B, C. The situation is similar to the ninth row, but here this is due to the location of the emergency exit immediately behind the seats.

10 and 24 D, E. The backs of the seats also cannot be lowered, however, these rows contain 2 rather than 3 seats, which can be considered a plus, especially for those traveling together.

Rows 11 and 25 are considered the most convenient. They are located immediately after emergency exits, which creates free space. Thanks to this, it becomes possible not only to recline the back of your chair, take a comfortable position of your legs, but also to easily leave your seat, practically without causing any discomfort to your companions.

Important! Not all categories of passengers can be accommodated in these seats: tickets will not be sold to the elderly, disabled people, or people traveling with children and animals. In addition, it is prohibited to block the passages to the emergency doors, so all luggage will have to be placed at the top - this is due to safety requirements on the plane.

Row 36, seats C and D. The location is next to the toilets, which is why small queues form near these seats. Oftentimes, end-of-salon restrooms are used by both the middle and aft saloons, representing quite a large number of people.

37 - last row. These places are rightfully considered the most inconvenient, which is explained by blocked seat backs, as well as the inconvenience associated with the proximity of the toilet.

Overall, the Airbus A321 is very comfortable liner, which is why it is operated by more than a hundred airlines. When choosing seats, you need to adhere to general recommendations: study the layout of the plane in advance, do not buy tickets in the back or near the technical rooms, and do not choose seats whose backrests do not recline. If you follow these tips, even the longest flight will be comfortable and unnoticed.

All 10 have the same 220 configuration passenger seats(economy salon).

Let's analyze in detail the layout of the Airbus A321 cabin and find out where the passenger will be most comfortable during the flight.

The diagram of the aircraft, which is posted on the official website, is as follows:

The only remark is that due to the fact that the official website does not include letter designations and row numbers, we will designate them as most Western aviation companies do using this type of aircraft.

A couple of general points about the seat arrangement in the Airbus A321 - their disadvantages and advantages.

1. The seats that are located next to the window have the advantage that you can look out of it during the flight (this, of course, depends on the flight time and weather). If you fly at night, this advantage does not count. Also, your neighbor will not bother you if he wants to get up. These places have one drawback - it is not very convenient to leave it yourself. Therefore, if you don’t need to go to the toilet often or you intend to sleep through the entire flight, choose seats by the window.

2. The seats located near the aisle have their own advantage - it is very easy to get up from if you need to go to the toilet. The disadvantages are that a neighbor may be disturbed if he needs to get up. Flight attendants with trolleys and passengers who walk through the cabin to the galley and toilets can also interfere. Therefore, if you are flying with a child and, most likely, you will have to go to the toilet often. Or you yourself need to go to the restroom more often, then choose from the edge of the seat.

1 rub. - in aircraft of this type, the first rad is often located quite close to the partition or wall of the kitchen/toilets. It gives the impression of a closed space and it is not very comfortable to sit for the entire flight watching the wall. Also, it is quite noisy there due to the close proximity of the toilet and kitchen. These are disadvantages. Now about the positive aspects. This row has enough room for knees. Another advantage is the fact that no one will recline the chair. In economic conditions, this is a rather significant circumstance.

10 rub. Row in front of the first emergency exit. As a rule, seats do not recline before an emergency exit, or are very limited in this, for safety reasons. This is done so that in an emergency, the approach to the doors is not blocked and so that time is not wasted on raising the backrests. You will have to sit upright for the entire flight.

11 rub. For the same safety reasons, the row after the emergency exit is located at a short distance from the previous one. In front of you, thanks to this, there is additional space. You can get up from your seats without disturbing your neighbors, and stretch your legs comfortably. Another advantage is that there are not 3 chairs in a row, but 2. Two chairs in a row are generally an ideal place for two people traveling. But there are some minor drawbacks: The folding tables are placed in the armrests, which is why they do not move. No porthole. Carry-on luggage cannot be placed in the aisle or on the floor. For flight safety, passengers with animals, children, people with disabilities, and elderly people are prohibited from being in these seats. there are still more advantages, so we can consider them to be good places.

12 rub. F,A. Standard economy seats + extra legroom. Since there is no chair in front. very comfortable.

25 rub. Marked in yellow for the same reasons as 10. The backrests are blocked. But a small advantage is the number of seats in the row.

26 rub. Good seats in the salon. There is room for your feet to be able to get up without disturbing anyone. Disadvantages are similar to 11 r. Let us separately note the places at portholes F,A. Due to the emergency door, the seats are slightly angled and often one of the armrests is missing.

37 rub., place D. Yellow color due to proximity to toilets. People will constantly squeeze in next to you, they may lean on the chair, or touch you. A queue may still form.

37 rub. places C, B, A and 38 rub. The most inappropriate places. The disadvantages are similar to those of the penultimate row; in addition, the backs of the seats do not recline and can rest against the walls of the toilets. The slamming of doors and the sound of the tank will accompany you throughout the flight. Register for these Places for the worst case scenario.

Ask an airline employee for advice

If possible, carefully study the diagram of the airliner you will fly on.

Do not take seats where the seats do not recline or are limited in their ability to do so.

Do not take places near toilets, kitchens and other technical rooms at the very end.

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What features of the Aeroflot Airbus A321 cabin layout do you need to know in order to have a comfortable flight without overpaying for a ticket?

Aeroflot currently has more than 20 A321 aircraft.

Liner names:
A. Scriabin, P. Tchaikovsky, A. Deineka, M. Chagall, I. Michurin, N. Pirogov, I. Sechenov, N. Zhukovsky, K. Tsiolkovsky, S. Korolev, M. Keldysh, N. Vavilov, A. Prokhorov, N. Semenov, V. Alekseev, S. Mikhalkov, G. Vishnevskaya, K. Stanislavsky, E. Vakhtangov (in Manchester United livery), S. Diaghilev, I. Goncharov, M. Zoshchenko, D. Ryabushinsky, S. Bondarchuk, F. Ushakov, S. Richter, A. Tarkovsky, V. Shukshin, V. Nemirovich-Danchenko, I. Levitan, I. Dunaevsky, Y. Khariton.

All aircraft use a business + economy cabin layout in three variants. Each aircraft design has its own characteristics, which will be discussed below. Also, you can find A321 cabins with new, from Recaro, and old seats.

Opinions vary about the comfort of the new seats, but the general opinion of passengers is that the old seats are more comfortable.
Feedback from an Aviaforum.ru visitor about new seats on Airbuses:

35 rows. The chairs are thin and hard. The armrests are narrow, you can’t really rest your hand. Subjectively, the seats are more comfortable than in the B738, but many times more uncomfortable than in the previous A320/321. In general, not ice at all.

Considering that planes with new seats do not always correspond to the official A321 layout, choosing the best seat turns into an entertaining quest.

Another Aeroflot innovation is the installation of charging units under each seat in the cabin. On the one hand, it’s a useful thing, on the other hand, we read a review from an Aeroflot passenger:

A huge fly in the ointment - boxes with stupid (again) exercises under each chair - really make it difficult to place your legs.
(a) and sharp, contagious (for ladies with bare legs, really), (b) Under the middle seat is still nothing, at the porthole it’s generally uncomfortable :)

Photo of chargers:

Despite all of the above, it is, of course, possible to find good seats in the Airbus A321 cabin.

Airbus A321 in business class (28 seats) and economy class (142 seats) configuration

Business class seats are located from rows 1 to 7. Seating layout: 2x2.

Seat pitch: 95 cm
Seat width: 52.2 cm

We will not dwell in detail on the description of the A321 business class. Just a couple of comments.

Some consider the disadvantages of the 1st row to be the nearby toilet and kitchen. We do not agree with this statement. Because these premises are used to service only this class, and there are few passengers in it - there should be no negative aspects in the form of noise and odors.

Row 7
The backs of the seats in this row do not recline completely due to the presence of the first row of economy class “behind the back”.

Economy class is located from rows 8 to 31.

Chair pitch: 75-80 cm
Seat width: 45 cm

Row 8
The seats in this row are seats increased comfort. They can be registered for an additional fee.
Pros of this series:

Increased seat pitch
No seat in front
Distance from toilets
At least someone walking around the salon past you

Please note that there are places for attaching baby bassinets only in the first row, i.e. in business class.

Rows 9-10
Standard seats with the benefits of seats located in the front of the cabin.

Row 11
The disadvantages of this series would be that the view from the window is partially blocked by the leading edge of the aircraft wing and the engine. Due to the proximity of the latter, increased noise during takeoff is possible.

Rows 12-17
For passengers in these rows, the scenery behind the window is obscured by the wing. It also reduces noise in the cabin.

Row 18
It is not recommended to register tickets for this row. The views overboard are obscured by the wing; the seat backs do not recline. Behind us are the restrooms with all the consequences in the form of queues, slamming doors, hitting those sitting at the aisle, etc.

Row 19
Controversial series. On one side there are only 2 seats in a row. Superior seats. Registration for these seats requires a fee.
On the other hand, there are no seats at the porthole. And throughout the flight you will contemplate the toilets and people entering and leaving them.

Row 20
Mixed row. Seats A and F are premium seats due to the features of the front row (at an additional cost). Places B,C,E,F– regular chairs with standard pitch.
The downside is the proximity of the toilet stalls.

Rows 21-30
Standard seat pitch. Rows without minuses and pluses. Due to the presence of lavatory at the beginning and end of the sector, passengers will not accumulate in queues at the tail. But we would recommend taking seats in the middle of this part of the plane.
My only recommendation is to avoid aisle seats in row 30 if possible. People in need may touch you as they pass by.

Row 31
If there are no more seats, and you really need to fly, only in this case take seats in this row.
This row has only disadvantages - the backrests do not recline. There may not be a porthole next to you. Behind the back there is a toilet and a kitchen.

Airbus A321 in business class (16 seats) and economy class (167 seats) configuration

In this diagram we will describe the differences that deserve attention.
Business class occupies rows 1 to 4. Seating layout: 2x2.

Seat pitch: 95 cm
Seat width: 52.2 cm

The economy class cabin occupies rows 8 to 35. Don't look for rows 5, 6 and 7. There is none of them.

The location of the best seats in the A321 cabin of this layout differs from the previous one.

Chair pitch: 75-80 cm
Seat width: 42.5-45 cm

Rows 8-10
The first row of economy class (8) does not have increased comfort. This is a standard row, like 9 and 10, with a normal seat pitch. The only plus is bow airplane.

Row 11
The astute reader will notice the different seat widths in this A321 economy class layout.
This is because the chairs in this particular row have different widths. With the same ticket price, please note.
In the 11th row there are 5, not 6 seats. It is positioned as Space+ and registration for it only costs an additional fee.
Now in detail:
Seat 11A has a minus in the form of an emergency exit, the design of which takes space away from the passenger’s personal space. Registration is free.
11B and 11C are full-fledged Space+.
11D and 11F are precisely seats with a reduced width. In addition, seat 11F has an emergency exit like 11A. Registration for this place is free.

Row 12
It’s worth taking a closer look at the seats in this row because of the presence in it, among the standard seats, of one superior seat – 12D. There is no seat in front and passengers with any leg length will not experience discomfort. You can register for it for free.

Row 23
Similar to the seats of row 20 of the previous A321 scheme.

Interior layout
- Reviews

The Airbus A321 is part of the narrow-body family Airbus aircraft A320 serving passenger flights for short and medium distances, flight range - up to 5000-5900 km. The capacity of this board is up to 236 passenger seats.

The aircraft is popular with Russian and foreign airlines. Business class may be allocated on board.

Airbus A321 cabin layout for different airlines

The layout of passenger seats on an Airbus A321 aircraft is always determined by the airline. Accordingly, choose best places you need to be guided by the diagram of exactly the plane on which you will fly.

Aeroflot

At Aeroflot, there are three options for the layout of the Airbus A321 airliner.

Aerobus A321 diagrams from Aeroflot

Business class - 28 seats in rows 1-7 (arranged in a 2-2 pattern);
Economy class - 142 seats in rows 8-31 (according to the 3-3 scheme, except for the 19th row - there are 2-2);
Space+ (with increased legroom) are the best seats in the economy class cabin of the Airbus A321 when flying with Aeroflot; they are marked in orange in the diagram; an additional payment is required to select them. Where are: row 8 - A, B, C, D, E, F; row 19 - B, C, D, E; row 20 - A, F.

Board numbers: VP-BUM, VQ-BEA, VQ-BED, VQ-BEF, VQ-BEG, VQ-BHK, VQ-BHM, VQ-BOH, VQ-BOI, VP-BDS, VP-BOC, VP-BOE , VP-BTG, VP-BTL, VP-BTR.

Economy class - 167 seats in rows 8-35;
Space+ seats: 11th row - B, C, D; Row 23 - A, B, C, D, E, F.

Board numbers: VP-BJX, VP-BEW, VP-BKI, VP-BAE, VP-BAF, VP-BAY, VP-BAZ, VP-BFF, VP-BFQ, VP-BFK, VP-BFX, VP-BKQ , VP-BKR, VP-BTH, VP-BTK, VP-BKJ, VP-BKZ.

Business class - 16 seats in rows 1-4 (according to scheme 2-2);
Economy class - 170 seats in rows 8-35;
Space+ seats: 11th row - B, C, D, E, F; 23 row - A, B, C, E, F; Row 24 - D.

Board numbers: VP-BAV, VP-BAX, VP-BEG, VP-BES, VP-BEA, VP-BEE.

Ural Airlines

There is no business class on board the Ural Airlines Airbus A321, and three conventional economy class sectors are distinguished only by emergency exits.

The carrier does not indicate the best seats on the Airbus A321 on the official map. However, according to reviews and common practice, the most comfortable seats for the flight will be those with increased legroom, located in front of the emergency exits. On the Airbus A321 cabin diagram, the following seats are located: 11th row - all, 12th row - A, F, 26th row - all.

The worst seats, traditionally, are near the toilet (limited recline of the seat back, little space for hand luggage) and every average of the 3.

S7 Airlines allocates a very small business class at the beginning of the cabin on its flights. There are other differences from the schemes presented above.

Airbus A321-100/200 seat map at S7

Business class - 8 seats in rows 1, 2;
Economy class - 189 seats;
Seats with increased legroom - 10th row seats A, F; 23rd row - all or only the extreme ones.

The main feature of the layout is the 22nd row, where there are only two seats, and not next to the window. There is no extra legroom, but these seats will be a real boon for those flying as a couple.

Nordwind (Nordwind, North Wind)

Nordwind Airlines does not have business class on Airbus A321-200 aircraft. There are 220 economy class seats on board, with the exception of the VP-BHN flight, which has 210 seats. Number of rows - 38.

Best seats (with increased legroom):

1st row - A, B, C, D, E, F;
11 row - A, B, C, D, E, F;
Row 26 - A, B, C, D, E, F.

Bad places where the back of the chair does not recline are also highlighted in the diagram:

10 row - A, B, C, D, E;
25 row - A, B, C, D, E;
Row 38 (last, near the toilets) - A, B, C, D, E, F.

Red Wings Airlines (Red Wings)

IN aircraft park Red Wings Airlines stretched Airbus A321 airliners replaced the previous model, the Airbus A320.

The cabin is equipped only in an economy class configuration with 220 seats. Seating chart: 3-3.

The best seats are on the first row (more legroom) and near the emergency exits. Unfortunately, the Red Wings Airlines website does not provide a detailed cabin layout.

Description and Airbus specifications A321 on the official website of Red Wings Airlines

Yamal Airlines has 3 Airbus A321 aircraft in its fleet; they serve flights throughout Russia.

Business class for 28 seats is allocated. The number of seats in standard economy class is 142, the seats are arranged in a 3-3 pattern.

There is no diagram of the layout of the Airbus A321 cabins on the official website of Yamal Airlines. In addition, seat selection is not available when purchasing online - not only in economy class, but also in business class.

Information about aircraft on the Yamal website

Passenger aircraft are increasingly ceasing to be a luxury and becoming a popular and affordable mode of transport. The speed, convenience and increasing safety of airliners open up broad prospects for regular air travel.

The growing flow of passengers also increases the demands on modern aircraft. The main focus is on the space, comfort and safety of the aircraft. Ideally, all these qualities should be combined with relative low cost of production and maintenance.

It was in this direction that the A320 model and its subsequent modification, the A321, were developed. Despite the long period that has passed since its development, the model still remains in demand for passenger transportation in many countries of the world.

History of the development of the Airbus A321 passenger aircraft

In 1988, the Airbus S.A.S consortium released a new model - the A320. The aircraft became the first mass-produced passenger airliner with fly-by-wire control system. The new model continued the line of narrow-body aircraft begun by the A300.

The main emphasis of the development was on savings in assembly and variability of passenger seats. The goal was to gain superiority over the main competitor - Boeing 727 and 737. Compared to them new model Airbus Industry would have an advantage in the use of digital technologies.

Despite the fact that the first aircraft was produced in 1988, the A320 program has been officially in operation since 1984. In addition to the fly-by-wire control system, there were other innovations:

for pilots, side control handles are provided instead of control columns;
the horizontal tail is made entirely of composites.

The Airbus A321 model was put into mass production in 1994 specifically to increase passenger capacity. The new airliner has become the largest in this line: when divided into two classes, it can accommodate 170 people, in one - 220. Also, compared to the A320, the flight range has been slightly increased.

The main production of aircraft of this line is concentrated in the European Union. Until 2008, assembly was carried out only in Toulouse, later Hamburg - Finkenwerder was connected. Production has also been established in China. Many parts and spare parts are produced in Russia at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant.

Airbus A321 aircraft remain in demand for many airlines around the world, despite being designed 25 years ago. However, it is expected that in the coming years these airliners will begin to be phased out due to outdated characteristics compared to modern aircraft.

Performance characteristics

Airbus Industrie A321 models remain in demand precisely thanks to technical specifications, which still competes with modern airliners.

In terms of size and weight, this model has the following indicators:

length - 44.5 m;
height - 11.8 m;
wingspan - 34.1 m;
wing area - 122.4 m;
permissible take-off weight - up to 93.5 tons;
acceptable landing weight - up to 77.8 tons;
empty weight of the aircraft - 48.1 tons;

The Airbus A321 has two options for seating passengers - one class or two. In the first case, economy class has a maximum capacity of 220 people. When divided into economy and business class, the aircraft's capacity is 170 seats.

Flight data

Flight characteristics of the Airbus A321:

flight range at maximum load - 5000-5500 km;
maximum speed - 890 km/h, cruising speed - 840;
permissible flight altitude - 11.9 km;
take-off length - 2180 m;
mileage - 1580 m;
engines used - CFMI CFM56-5A/5B, 2 x 13600-15000 kgf; IAE V2500-A5, 2 x 13600-15000 kgf.

Modern assemblies of the Airbus A321 use French EFIS avionics systems. They are responsible for controlling the engines and ensuring the normal operation of on-board electronics. This improves navigation and reduces the likelihood of veering off course, which is especially important during difficult flight conditions and emergency situations.

Interior layout and seating arrangement

In the Airbus A321, the cabin layout has two seat layout options - with and without business class. The first option is used more often, despite the aircraft's smaller capacity. For example, in Aeroflot's A321 aircraft, the cabin layout is often considered using its example.

Business class is located at the front of the aircraft and occupies 16-28 paired seats. The seats are more comfortable, the distance between the seats has been increased, which gives more room for the legs. Greater variety is also provided in the menu selection.

In economy class, the seats are arranged in a 3x3 pattern with two compartments. The seats are soft and comfortable, although not as comfortable. The distance between them is approximately 80 cm. However, depending on the location, there are also some nuances that you should be aware of when booking tickets.

Business Class

For business class, the first and seventh rows are considered a poor choice of seats (if there are 28 seats). In the first, the seats are located close to toilets and service areas. In addition to constant noise and movement, the lights are always on at night, making it difficult to sleep.

The last row of business class is separated from the rest of the plane by a thin partition. Therefore, all the noise from economy class will be heard, which will make your vacation incomplete.

Economy class

The most attractive seats in economy class are located in the row next to business class. Located immediately behind the partition, they provide more legroom. Seats with no seats in front have similar properties: in the first diagram these are 20A and 20F.

Seats in rows 18 and 19 are considered less attractive. The proximity to toilets does not allow for proper rest due to constant movement. The worst option in this regard is considered to be the last row, where there are also service rooms next to the toilet.

Advantages and disadvantages of the aircraft

The advantages of the Airbus A321 include:

high flight performance, despite the design 25 years ago;
high capacity and seating capacity among medium-haul aircraft;
the cabin is spacious, which ensures a more comfortable flight;
High sound insulation ensures passengers' rest during the flight.

The disadvantages of the A321 aircraft include its technical aging. Most solutions in design and digital support can no longer compete with modern airliners. In the coming years, a gradual winding down of production is expected in favor of a new Airbus series A320neo.

Aircraft safety

The Airbus A321 design contains 20% more composite materials. This solution increased the strength of the aircraft hull and, accordingly, its safety in case of adverse weather conditions.

Another aspect that increases the safety of the airliner is digital support. The computerized navigation and control system facilitates piloting in the event of emergency situations. Similar questions are considered common to the entire A321 line.

However, during operation there were some incidents. Already in the early stages of using Airbus A321 aircraft, accidents were recorded. In 1988, there was a disaster that was attributed to pilot error. However, there is an opinion that it was caused by a computerized control system.

The first accidents significantly reduced the attractiveness of new Airbus aircraft. Since the beginning of 2000, the number of incidents has increased - from minor problems to major accidents. The worst disaster is considered to be the crash of A321 on October 31, 2015, when 224 people died.

Airbus A321 modifications

Airbus A321 airliners have two modifications - A321-100 and A321-200. The first actually marked the beginning of the production of these airliners. Its testing began back in 1993, and later mass production began. The design uses CFM56 and V2500 engines.

The modification of the A321-200 focuses on increasing the take-off weight and flight range. Development began in 1994 as a direct competitor to the Boeing 757-200. In 1996, mass production was launched. Both modifications are still in production.

Airlines flying the Airbus A321

Airbus A321 airliners are actively used by airlines around the world.

The full list is provided by the following operators:

Aegean Airlines;
Aer Lingus;
Air Alanna;
Air Arabia;
Air Astana;
Airbus;
Air Canada;
Air Canada Rouge;
Air China;
Air France;
Air India;
Air Macau;
Air Transat;
Airblue;
Airphil Express;
Alaska Airlines;
Alitalia;
All Nippon Airways;
AlMasria Universal Airlines;
American Airlines;
Anda Air;
Asian Airlines;
Atlasglobal;
Austrian Airlines;
Avianca;
Avianca El Salvador;
Avianca Peru;
Avion Express;
Batavia Air;
British Airways;
CAA Compagnie Africaine D'Aviation;
Cambodia Angkor Air;
Cathay Dragon;
China Eastern Airlines;
China Southern Airlines;
Condor Flugdienst;
Daallo Airlines;
Delta Air Lines;
Egyptair;
Eva Air;
Finnair;
Frontier Airlines;
Germania;
Gulf Air;
Hi Fly;
HK Express;
Iberia;
Iberia Express;
Inter Airlines;
Interjet;
Iran Air;
Iraqi Airways;
JetBlue Airways;
Jetstar Airways;
Joon;
Juneyao Airlines;
Kish Air;
LATAM Airlines;
LATAM Brasil;
Laudamotion;
Level;
Lufthansa;
Maldivian;
Mihin Lanka;
Monarch Airlines;
Nile Air;
Onur Air;
Philippine Airlines;
Qatar Airways;
R Airlines;
Royal Jordanian Airlines;
SAS - Scandinavian Airlines;
Saudia;
Skywings Asia Airlines;
Small Planet Airlines;
Smartlynx;
Spirit Airlines;
SriLankan Airlines;
SWISS International Air Lines;
TAP Portugal;
Thomas Cook Airlines;
Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia;
Titan Airways;
TransAsia Airways;
TUIfly;
Turkish Airlines;
UNI Air;
VietJet Air;
Vietnam Airlines;
Volaris;
Vueling Airlines;
White Airways;
Windrose;
Wizz Air;
WOW air;
YanAir;
Yunnan Hongtu Airlines;
Aeroflot - Russian Airlines;
Red Wings;
North wind;
Siberia;
Ural Airlines;
Yamal.

Serial production of the A321 continues, which means new aircraft are entering service. However, with the advent of new analogues, we can expect that production will gradually cease. This does not mean that the A321 aircraft will disappear immediately as soon as production ceases. However, their gradual decommissioning can be expected over the next couple of decades.

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