Norwegian’s subsidiary Arctic Aviation Assets Ltd (AAA) has placed a new order of 30 Airbus 321 Long Range aircraft. Norwegian will operate the A321LR once the aircraft enters service in 2019. The aircraft has a size and range that makes it suitable for many more long-haul destinations in the future, including Asia.
In 2012, Norwegian signed an order for 100 A320neo aircraft with Airbus, as well as a large order with Boeing. Now, the airline’s asset company AAA has converted the order from 30 A320neo aircraft to 30 A321LR aircraft, which is an even bigger aircraft type. Eight of the aircraft are scheduled to be delivered in 2019, and the remaining 22 the following two years.
The new aircraft type has a longer range than the A320neo, is even more fuel-efficient and has a single aisle cabin, seating approximately 220 passengers. The A321LR is suitable for many more routes, i.e. between the US East Coast and Europe, between Scandinavia and parts of Asia, as well as South America and Europe.
“I am very pleased with this new Airbus order. The new medium-range aircraft available from 2019 fits really well with our global expansion plans and future long-haul network, both in terms of size, range and fuel efficiency. Airbus 321LR is the newest narrow body long-haul aircraft on the market and with this order we will have a significant cost advantage and increased competitiveness, which means that we can offer our customers low prices on board brand new aircraft to a wide range of new destinations,” said Norwegian CEO Bjørn Kjos.
The A321LR – a new variant of Airbus’ A321neo, deliveries of which will begin in 2019 – will have the longest range of any single-aisle jetliner, able to fly routes of up to 4,000 nm. It is ideally suited to transatlantic routes, and enables airlines to tap into new long-haul markets that were not previously accessible with current single-aisle aircraft. It sets new industry standards for eco-efficiency in terms of fuel saving and passenger appeal.
