Norwegian will become the launch customer for the new Airbus A321LR following an order for 30 aircraft at the Farnborough Air Show.
It is anticipated that the airline will use the aircraft to establish more low cost transatlantic routes between its bases in Europe and destinations along the US East Coast.
The airline already operates Boeing 787s on long-haul routes.
This order replaces a previous order for 30 A320neos (part of a commitment for 100 A320neo family aircraft placed in 2012). The first deliveries of the A321LR will begin in 2019.
“I am very excited about this new order of the Airbus A321LR,” says CEO of Norwegian, Bjorn Kjos. “The new ‘short long-haul’ 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. The Airbus A321LR 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,ʺ said Kjos.
“We are very happy that Norwegian has selected the A321LR, the longest range of any single aisle airliner in the world. We are pleased that Norwegian will be the first low-cost transatlantic operator with the A321LR,” said John Leahy, COO Customers. “The A321LR sets new industry standards for eco-efficiency in terms of fuel saving and passenger appeal.”
The A321LR, the latest member of the market leading A320neo Family, will be able to fly longer routes of up to 4,000 nm. The A321LR will provide additional flexibility as it will have the longest range of any single aisle airliner, making it ideally suited to transatlantic routes and enable airlines to tap into new long haul markets which were not previously accessible with current single aisle aircraft. First deliveries will start in 2019.
