A321-100 was developed in November 1989 and 4 sets were manufactured prototype On March 11, 1993, the first prototype equipped with V2530 engine made its first flight, and on December 17 of the same year, it won the first flight in Europe JAA certificate 。 Installed in May 1993 CFM56-5B engine The first flight of the second prototype was carried out, and the JAA certificate was obtained on February 15, 1994.
On January 27, 1994, the first batch of aircraft was delivered for use.
The development cost of the A321-100 is estimated to be 500 million dollars. As of June 2016, 1694 A321 have been officially ordered and 1307 have been delivered. The unit price of A321 is about USD 114.9 million (2016). [2]
On the morning of October 29, 2014, it was reported that Airbus Group said on Tuesday that it planned to start the production of the first American factory. Airbus plans to produce a larger A321 aircraft in this plant, rather than the original plan A320 aircraft 。 The move reflects the rising demand for large aircraft in the market. [3] Airbus A study is being conducted on whether an Airbus A321 with 236 seats should be provided. This high-density aircraft is likely to use the latest small seats, with the data bag set above the seats rather than below; There will also be a small table behind the seat. It is reported that this new design makes the distance between the front and rear seats of the whole engine room only 28 inches (71 cm). No extension or other improvements will be made to the fuselage, such as additional emergency exits. Airbus said that it has no specific plan to further increase the capacity of A321.
According to Airbus, the maximum capacity of the aircraft is 220 passengers. In comparison, Boeing 737-900 The maximum number of seats can reach 215. 236 seater aircraft Budget airline The commonly used models are much larger. In the same route, these aircraft may have some operational problems, for example, the boarding time is too long due to the use of a single boarding escalator, and it cannot be quickly transferred. Therefore, the aircraft may cause Boeing 757 Alternative product leasing and scheduled airline interest, it can be boarded and unloaded through two channels. At the same time, by introducing the A321NEO, the range of the A321 can be increased from 3200 nautical miles (5950 kilometers) to 3700 nautical miles (6800 kilometers) at the maximum passenger capacity; This makes long-range flights from Central Europe to the Canary Islands or flights on similar missions more feasible.
In April 2022, Sichuan Saide Aviation Technology Co., Ltd., as the landing subject of Sichuan Airlines' passenger aircraft conversion cargo aircraft project, will use Sichuan Airlines' Tianfu Airport hangar to carry out the first domestic Airbus A321 passenger aircraft conversion cargo aircraft business. [9] September 2022, Tianjin: the first batch of A321 Airbus large parts "settled down" in the only final assembly line in Asia. [11] On September 12, it was reported that the first two large parts of Airbus A321 aircraft were successfully unloaded and loaded at the Pacific International Container Terminal in Tianjin Port, and will arrive at the Airbus final assembly line on September 13. [12] On November 9, it was reported that the Tianjin assembly line had started the transformation of the A321 production line, and the first one would be delivered in the first quarter of next year. [13]
On March 24, 2023, the first Airbus A321 aircraft that has completed final assembly in China will be officially delivered to Jixiang Airlines at the Asian final assembly line of Airbus A320 series aircraft in Tianjin. [14]
On November 8, 2023, the delivery and cooperation signing ceremony of the first domestic Airbus A321 "passenger to cargo" aircraft using the PC program (the "passenger to cargo" conversion program held by Precision Conversions of the United States) was held in Shuangliu District, Chengdu. [18]
Airbus A321 is the largest member of A320 series aircraft. [4] Is all Single channel aircraft Mid seat mile model with the best cost. Its efficiency is even as high as that of wide body airliners, thus bringing a new dimension to profitability. It is the most profitable single channel aircraft series in the world. Compared with the A320, the fuselage of the A321 is 6.94 meters longer, the front wing is 4.27 meters longer, and the rear wing is 2.67 meters longer. The upper wing emergency exit was moved to the fuselage extension, thus adding two emergency exits. The flaps and landing gear are improved, and the improved low-speed control system is installed. Air conditioning system, pressurization system and cargo hold fire extinguishing system are added.
A321-100 is the basic type of A321. According to the different engine configurations, it can be divided into A321-111, A321-112, A321-131 and other subtypes. CFM56-5B1 or CFM56-5B1/P or CFM56-5B1/2P, CFM56-5B2 or CFM56-5B2/P, V2530-A5 turbofan engines are equipped respectively, and they all obtained the model certificate of FAA on December 20, 1995. [19]
A321-200 is the extended range type of A321 series. It was launched on April 24, 1995, made its first flight on December 12, 1996, and delivered on April 24, 1997. The A321-200 has strengthened the airframe structure by adding an additional 2900L central line fuel tank (ATC). The second ACT can be installed for the sub variant with higher takeoff weight, which was launched in January 1999 and delivered in September 2000. According to different engine assemblies, this model can be divided into multiple subtypes such as A321-211, A321-212, A321-213, A321-231, A321-232, etc. [20]
The Airbus A321NEO aircraft is one of the Airbus A320 series aircraft, and its biggest feature is to realize the capacity and range of wide body aircraft at the cost of narrow body aircraft. It is understood that the Airbus A321NEO aircraft has a 227 seat full economy class layout, and uses the new cabin brand "Airbus Flight Space" interior decoration. With a new cabin layout, spacious space and new "Flight Space" interior decoration, it brings passengers a unique flight experience. In the cabin, every detail is permeated with careful care for passengers, and the situation lights with a sense of technology make passengers feel comfortable and warm while enjoying the flight. After the new aircraft is in place and the necessary inspection is completed, it will be put into relevant flight support, providing strong support for further improving the production and operation level and expanding the airline network. [21]
The Airbus A321XLR is a modified version of the Airbus A320neo series, which strengthens the landing gear, and the additional fuel tank makes its maximum takeoff weight and range larger. Under the low-density cabin layout, its flight range reaches 9300 kilometers, which will cover more segments of the target market of Boeing NMA. [22]
A321PCF customer change goods
On November 20, 2023, the first domestic A321 passenger to cargo aircraft modified by Sichuan Saide Aviation Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Saide") was completed and officially delivered to Sichuan Airlines Group. [23] The reporter learned that the PC (321 Precision Conversions) conversion scheme was selected for this Airbus A321 passenger to cargo aircraft. Saide and Chuanwei successfully transformed an old passenger aircraft into a pure cargo aircraft through a number of complicated conversion projects in a few months, and obtained the Supplementary Type Approval Certificate (VSTC) issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China. The conversion scheme fully met the safety and technical standards of the Civil Aviation Administration. [24]
A321P2F is the first of its kind to provide container loading service in the main deck and cargo warehouse. The main cargo compartment can accommodate 14 ULD's, while the belly compartment can accommodate 10, and can carry 28 tons of cargo for 3500 kilometers. [25]
Model: Airbus A321
Machine height: 11.76m
Cabin length: 34.44m
Maximum cabin width: 3.70m
Average hourly fuel consumption (Kg): 2355
Maximum climb rate (ft/min): 2500
Maximum climb rate (m/s): 12.6
Maximum takeoff weight (Kg): 83000
Utility ceiling (m): 12000
Full load range (km): 5600
Power unit: two sets Turbofan engine Engine thrust (horsepower): 2 × 133KN
Engine model CFM CFM56-5 series IAE V2500 series
maximum Cruise speed （Kts）：487 Maximum cruise speed (Km/h): 902
Maximum cruise speed (M): 0.82
Normal cruise speed (Kts): 447
Normal cruise speed (Km/h): 828 Normal cruise speed (M): 0.78
Minimum finishing speed (Kts): 210
Minimum finishing speed (Km/h): 388
Final approach speed (Kts): 150
Final approach speed (Km/h): 277
Runway threshold Speed (Kts): 145 Runway threshold speed (Km/h): 268 [1]
A321 of Lufthansa
Dragonair A321 A320 series aircraft fully embodies the versatility of Airbus aircraft. Airlines can maximize operational flexibility, optimize economic efficiency and maximize the role of pilots, cabin attendants and maintenance personnel by virtue of the commonality of aircraft.
A321 of China Southern Airlines In addition, the pilots of A320 series aircraft have the qualification of Airbus fly by wire flight operation. They can easily transition to flying larger A330, A340 and A380 aircraft through simple differential training, rather than a whole set of new type level training. The advantages of Airbus commonality are also applicable to cabin attendants of A320 series aircraft.
Since all A320 series aircraft are equipped with the same advanced digital cabin management system, cabin staff can seamlessly switch between four types of aircraft, which simplifies flight arrangements and maximizes staff skills. In addition, because the systems and components of A320 series aircraft have a high degree of internal interchangeability, together with the use of general flight control systems and similar electronic equipment, these commonality will make the maintenance work of this aircraft more convenient.
Airbus A320 family The series aircraft has the widest fuselage section among single aisle aircraft, setting a new standard for passenger comfort. This model can provide passengers with wider seats. The wider passage can not only facilitate passengers to board and leave the aircraft quickly, but also facilitate passengers to Flight attendant And service trolley in the flying aircraft. The optimized fuselage width also enables airlines to have the maximum flexibility in cabin layout. The layout of 4 or 5 seats in each row can be used for the first class and business class of A320 series aircraft, and the comfort level of the two layouts is equivalent to that of wide body passenger aircraft on international routes; The layout of six seats in each row of economy class can accommodate the widest seat in a single aisle aircraft. For flight services, cabin attendants can work more efficiently and provide better services. The working space in the aircraft kitchen is 40% larger than that in other single aisle aircraft, and the kitchen space is 25% larger.
Carry on baggage is an important problem that all airlines face today. In order to meet the needs of passengers, A320 series aircraft provide a wide overhead luggage compartment. Compared with competitive aircraft, the average length is 40% more, the height is 20% more, and the depth is 20% more. In addition, the same space under the seat also provides each passenger with a larger and more practical storage space 。 Another feature of the overhead luggage compartment is that it can accommodate the optional entertainment system with a folding screen.
A320 series aircraft has created a new generation of Airbus cockpit, and has become the first choice for pilots to operate aircraft. This cockpit introduces a complete Fly by wire control Flight control system - efficient and tidy Dashboard And the copilot. In fact, the advanced cockpit of the A320 series aircraft is similar to that of the A330 and A340 wide body aircraft cockpit Exactly the same. The cockpit will also maintain a high degree of similarity with the new 555 seat A380 cockpit. Pilots with single aircraft type driving qualification can fly A318, A319, A320 and A321 aircraft, and the versatility of all Airbus aircraft telex operations also makes it very convenient for pilots to switch to A330, A340 and A380. 6 interchangeable LCD It replaces many instrument dials on the aircraft in the past, which is easy to receive information and ensure to reduce the workload of two pilots. The fly by wire operation enables the pilot to have a certain degree of freedom within the aircraft operating range, to avoid overspeed and stall, and to maintain operability within the limits of the aircraft structure. The copilot controller cancels the huge control device installed in the middle of other aircraft, so that on the one hand, the vision of the instrument panel is not affected, and on the other hand, the fly by wire flight control device can be used to the greatest extent. Airbus A320 series aircraft The wide body fuselage advantage of A320 not only exists in the main passenger compartment but also extends to the bottom cargo compartment. Compared with any other single channel aircraft, the lower cargo compartment of A320 aircraft is wider and deeper, which can accommodate the airline standards commonly used for wide body aircraft LD3 container 。
Installing any of the four cargo handling systems simplifies cargo Loading and unloading operation 。 These systems meet all the needs of airlines and provide a range of options for airlines operating A319, A320 and A321 aircraft.
The bottom cargo hold can be accessed through the large outward opening hatch. The purpose of this design is to prevent the hatch from occupying the internal volume of the cargo hold. In case of bad weather conditions, the hatch can also provide protection during flight operations to reduce damage to packages and cargo. Inside the cargo hold, the parcel loader has a large working height and a wide working space. These measures increase efficiency and reduce the risk of injury to employees.
Airbus A318 A319, A320 and A321 are the most profitable single aisle aircraft in the world. Compared with competitive aircraft, their advanced technology and extremely high operational flexibility reduce fuel consumption, reduce maintenance costs and direct operating costs, and improve aircraft residual value. The A320 series aircraft has adopted a series of measures to achieve excellent economy. These measures include: advanced aerodynamic design is adopted for the wing, a large number of lightweight composite materials are used, and the mechanical complexity is reduced Fly by wire control , and with Avionics It is integrated with the central monitoring device of various aircraft systems. The spacious bottom cargo hold enables A320 series aircraft to use standard LD3 containers or carry more cargo in bulk, thus increasing the profitability of airlines by increasing the revenue of each flight. It also contributes to the economy of A320 series aircraft. A318, A319, A320 and A321 aircraft can share the same crew of pilots, cabin attendants and maintenance personnel, which saves money and allows airlines great flexibility in making flight arrangements. In addition, the similar fly by wire control characteristics of A320 series aircraft and A330, A340 and A380 aircraft can also enable operators to benefit from the versatility of Airbus aircraft (including passenger aircraft with more than 550 seats).
The Airbus 321 aircraft was delivered for use in 1994, and by 2015, only three major accidents had occurred, two of which caused casualties. It belongs to the aircraft type with high safety.
Revival of aviation accidents
On March 21, 2003, Renaissance Aviation When landing at Tainan Airport at 22:35 p.m. (1435UTC) local time on March 21, 2003, the GE543 passenger plane, which is Airbus A321 and registration number B-22603, collided with the air force Tainan base engineering vehicle under construction on runway 36R. There were 2 chief and co pilots, 4 cabin crew members and 169 passengers on board. The driver of the engineering vehicle was injured and sent to the hospital. The left landing gear, left wheel hatch, left inner trailing edge flap and left rear fuselage of the aircraft were damaged. Pakistan air disaster
July 28, 2010, Pakistan Blue Air The company's Airbus 321, with registration number AP-BJB, took off from Karachi, Pakistan, and flew to Islamabad Benazir Bhutto International Airport (ISB), because of the weather, the crew failed in three attempts to land. Later, because of the crew's misoperation, the captain mistakenly lowered the aircraft's altitude by 2300 feet instead of the required altitude of 2510 feet, and crashed in the mountain area 9 kilometers away from the airport. As a result, there were 6 crew members and 146 passengers on the plane, with a total of 152 people killed. This was the first accident in which Airbus 321 killed people. Air crash of flight 7K9268 of Russia Kogarem Airlines
October 31, 2015, Russia Kogarem Airlines Flight 7K9268 (model: Airbus A321) lost contact over the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt on the way from Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt to St. Petersburg in Russia. On November 1, Egyptian officials said that flight 7K9268 crashed in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt, killing all 224 passengers and crew members on board. None of them survived. Russian and Egyptian experts arrived at the scene of the Russian airliner crash in the Sinai Peninsula on the 1st to investigate. A senior Russian aviation official said that the crashed airliner had disintegrated when it was high in the air. [5-6] At the meeting of the Russian Security Committee held on November 16, 2015, Bortnikov, Director of the Russian Federal Security Agency, announced that the Russian Airbus A321 crashed in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, after investigation, was carrying explosive devices, and the explosion was the cause of the crash.
Bortnikov said that the explosive equivalent to 1.5 kg TNT was detonated during the flight of the passenger plane, which caused the plane to disintegrate in the air and the body to fall to the ground in all directions. [7]
Accidental 1.5t aviation oil leakage during regular inspection of A321 passenger aircraft
In July 2022, during the scheduled inspection of a Russian Airlines A321 passenger plane, aviation kerosene leaked accidentally, and no injuries were caused. It is reported that during the regular maintenance of the Russian Airlines A321 at Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport this week, the maintenance personnel were replacing the fuel pump on the wing, which accidentally caused the leakage of 1.5 tons of aviation kerosene. After the firefighters arrived at the scene, they sprayed and covered the leaked aviation kerosene to dilute it. No injuries were caused by the accident. [10]
Abnormal events
On the evening of April 16, 2023, when an A321 passenger plane of Taiwan Evergreen Airlines was towing, its wingtip accidentally cut into the left fuselage of a Boeing 777 passenger plane (also belonging to Evergreen), resulting in structural damage. It is estimated that the A321 wingtip can be replaced as a whole. [15]
Two passenger planes collided
According to the report of the New York Post on June 18, 2023 quoted by Jimu News, at Boston Logan International Airport, a United Airlines Boeing 737MAX crashed into the tail of a Delta Airbus A321 on the apron, and the two planes shook violently. [16]
Multiple windscreens fall off and are forced to turn back
On November 10, 2023, according to Sky News British Aviation Accident Investigation Agency According to a report released a few days ago, an Airbus A321 passenger plane taking off from London, England, was found to have its windshield broken or damaged after taking off, and was forced to turn back 36 minutes after taking off. [17] Fire and explosion after landing at Tacoma International Airport in Seattle
On May 13, 2024 local time, the New York Post, the Seattle Times and other US media disclosed the picture of a fire and explosion accident on an Airbus A321 passenger plane of Delta Airlines last week. The New York Post quoted the live pictures obtained by the "KOMO News" radio station in Seattle, Washington, that an Airbus plane had a small explosion shortly after landing at Tacoma International Airport in Seattle last week, and black smoke was emitted from the nose under the cockpit. [26]
