Airlines Updates No.4518

Transavia's retrojet Airbus A321NX makes 1st flight

On 9 July 2025, Transavia's soon to be delivered retrojet took to the skies for the very first time. The A321-252NX, currently registered D-AYAD (12652), flew the flight from and to the Airbus-factory at Hamburg-Finkenwerder.

Delivery of the aircraft is scheduled for 25 July 2025 and will be ferried with flight number HV1965, referring to the year Transavia was founded. The 60 year birthday-livery is, however, not from its first year of operations but from a year later.

Once delivered, it will be the eleventh Airbus A321neo in Transavia's-fleet.

Later this year, Transavia is also set to unveil a new and refreshed livery. So far, the airline has only releases a picture of the new tail, which is now completely green with an updated white logo. So stay tuned!

Airbus Updates No.4453

 

Air India Express schedules A321neo debut for early 2Q25

Air India Express (IX, Delhi International) is set to commence scheduled operations with A321-200N aircraft on April 15, 2025, the ch-aviation schedules module reveals. The low-cost carrier will start operating the type on the Delhi International-Bengaluru International and Delhi-Srinagar routes.

The company will also deploy the aircraft on services from Delhi to Ayodhya International and Jaipur starting on April 20.

Air India Express' A321-200N will feature 180 seats in economy and 12 in business class. The carrier does not have an outstanding order for the type. Parent Air India currently operates two A321-200Ns, VT-RTC (msn 11156) and VT-RTD (msn 11183), equipped with 192 seats in dual-class configuration. The carrier also has a firm order for another 210 units of the type directly from Airbus.

It is currently unknown if Air India Express will receive the aircraft from the fleet of Air India or if they come from its parent's orderbook.

ch-aviation reached out Air India Express for comment.

Air India Express operates twenty-four A320-200s, twelve A320-200Ns, forty-one B737-8s, and twenty-six B737-800s. It is expecting to add fifty B737-10s and ninety-nine B737-8s.

Plagued with supply chain issues

Meanwhile, Air India has been struggling to expand and modernise its aircraft fleet due to the supply chain problems that are plaguing the industry. Speaking at Skift India Forum, an industry event, the flag carrier's chief executive, Campbell Wilson, said that the company is seeing constraints in the supply of engines, fuselages, and first and business class seats.

Wilson noted that delivery delays of factory-new jets from Airbus and Boeing will hamper the airline's growth for four or five more years. "There is not a lot we can do. We are victims of circumstance, as is every other airline," he added.

Due to these issues, Air India cannot expand its network as fast as it initially anticipated. The carrier is keeping older aircraft in the fleet for longer, so its maintenance costs have risen. Increasing the network and fleet by leasing aircraft has also become more difficult as competitors have scrambled to source additional capacities, Wilson said.

Air India is reluctant to exercise its options for purchasing additional Boeing jets due to problems at the manufacturer and production caps set by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

According to the ch-aviation fleets module, Air India has 374 aircraft on order. Air India is set to receive ninety A320-200Ns, 210 A321-200NX, twenty-five A350-1000s, nineteen A350-900s, ten B777-9s, and twenty B787-9s.

Airbus Updates No.4406

Icelandair welcomes 1st Airbus A321neo

On 3 December 2024, Icelandair welcomed the arrival of its very first Airbus A321neo. A321-200NX TF-IAA (12213) landed safely at Keflavik from Hamburg-Finkenwerder.

The aircraft is planned to enter commercial service on 10 December 2024, with the inaugural flight going to Stockholm. On the same day, it will also fly to Copenhagen. On 5 January 2025, it's scheduled to fly a one-off service to Amsterdam. When more Airbuses arrive, the A321neo will appear at more airports, including destinations in Canada and the US.

Icelandair has orders and leases for 20 A321neos, seven A321-200NXs leased via CDB and SMBC, and thirteen A321-200NYs ordered directly with Airbus. This latter type is scheduled for delivery from 2029 onwards. In the fleet, the A321neos will take the place of the current thirteen Boeing B757s.

Photo by Airbus.

Airbus Updates No.4347

KLM takes delivery of 1st Airbus A321neo

27 August 2024, is an important date for KLM as it's the day when the airline took delivery of its first Airbus A321neo, kicking-off its mainline narrowbody replacement programme.

After a festive ceremony at the Airbus-plant at Hamburg-Finkenwerder, A321-200NX PH-AXA (11895) was ferried to Schiphol where it landed safely just before 15:00 hrs local time. The delivery flight was very popular and was even briefly the most followed flight on Flightradar24!

This year, KLM will take delivery of three more A321neos. Entry into commercial service is scheduled to begin next month, with the type first being used to Berlin, Copenhagen and Stockholm.

Photo by KLM.

Airbus Updates No.4309

 

1st A321neo for KLM rolls out of paintshop

The introduction of the first Airbus A321neo is coming closer with the first aircraft having received its livery. A321-252NX D-AXXQ (11895) was photographed by Dirk Grothe at Hamburg-Finkenwerder on 24 June 2024. It will become PH-AXA once it is delivered.

Delivery of the aircraft is planned for August, with entry into commercial service in September. KLM will send its new type first to Berlin, Copenhagen, and Stockholm. In October, the A321neo will also be introduced on flights to Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Prague, and Vienna.

The aircraft is also the first aircraft to wear the slightly modified KLM-livery, with the "swoop" now going lower earlier on the fuselage, resulting in a complete blue nose.

Tweet and photo by Dirk Grothe.

Airbus Updates No.4308

ndCondor welcomes 1st A321neo

Condor's fleet renewal is continuing with the arrival of its first Airbus A321neo. The aircraft, A321-271NX D-ANMZ (11825), was handed-over to lessor Aviation Capital Group and the airline at Hamburg-Finkenwerder on 16 June 2024.

The aircraft is currently being readied for service at Frankfurt and is expected to make its first commercial flight on 5 July 2024. It will, initially, be based at Düsseldorf.

In total, Condor will add 28 new A321neos to its fleet until 2029. Earlier this year, in April 2024, the airline also took delivery of its first of thirteen A320neos.

Photo by Aviation Capital Group.

Airbus Updates No.4182

 

Transavia Airlines takes delivery of its first Airbus A321neo

Hamburg, 19 December 2023 – Dutch low-cost carrier Transavia Airlines, part of the Air France-KLM group, has taken delivery of its first A321neo on lease from Air Lease Corporation (NYSE: AL). The aircraft was delivered from Airbus’ Hamburg production facilities taking advantage of Airbus’ option for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) on its delivery flight to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. With this new aircraft Transavia becomes a new Airbus operator of the type.

This first A321neo marks the beginning of Transavia Airlines’ transition to an all-Airbus latest-generation fleet. Due to its lower fuel consumption and emissions, the A321neo will play a key role in the airline group’s sustainable development goals.

The newly delivered A321neo for Transavia Airlines seats 232 passengers in a single class layout. The cabin features Airbus’ Airspace XL bins. The larger bins provide a 40% more stowage space than previous ones for a more relaxed boarding experience for passengers and cabin crew. In addition, USB-C ports are available for passengers at every seat, and the latest lighting system enhances the overall passenger experience.

The A321neo is the largest member of the Airbus A320neo Family, offering unmatched range and performance. Equipped with sharklets and powered by new generation CFM International LEAP-1A engines, the A321neo delivers a 50 per cent reduction in noise footprint and 20 per cent reduction in fuel burn and CO₂ emissions compared to previous generation single-aisle aircraft. 

To date the A321neo has captured more than 5,600 orders received from over 100 customers across the globe.

Airbus Updates No.4150

 

 

ITA Airways takes delivery of 1st Airbus A321neo

On 10 November 2023, ITA Airways received the keys to its first Airbus A321neo. The aircraft, A321-200NX EI-HXA (11561) was handed over at the Airbus-factory at Hamburg-Finkenwerder. It will soon be ferried to the airline's base at Rome-Fiumicino.

Originally, ITA Airways was planning to put it into service on the route to Tel Aviv but that route is currently suspended by the airline due to the war between Israel and Hamas.

ITA Airways will take delivery of at least nine leased A321-200NXs, which it will equip with twelve Business Class, twelve Premium Economy, and 141 Economy Class-seats. It's mainly planning to deploy the type across destinations in the Middle-East.

The Italian airline has been renewing its fleet with good speed. This year alone, ITA Airways will have taken delivery of 40 new aircraft. Next to the new A321neo, the fleet further consists of one A220-100, seven A220-300s, sixteen A319s, 25 A320s, thirteen A320neos, seven A330-200s, five A330-900s, and six A350-900s.

Airbus Updates No.4124

 

United welcomes first Airbus A321neo

On 16 October 2023, the first United Airlines Airbus A321neo was ferried to Houston (TX) on delivery. The aircraft, A321-271NX N44501 (11500) was handed over at the Airbus-factory at Hamburg on 10 October 2023. Originally, the aircraft was due to ferry on 13 October but this flight was cancelled. The delivery route was Hamburg-Reykjavik-Cleveland-Houston.

The delivery is the first factory fresh Airbus-delivery for United Airlines since 2002. It's also the first of 180 A321neos the airline has on order. Earlier this month, United announced that it has added 60 additional orders for the type.

Initially, United Airlines is planning to fly its new Airbus from Chicago (IL) to Fort Lauderdale (FL) and Phoenix (AZ). Commercial service is due to begin early December.

Airbus Updates No.4048

 

Eurowings welcomes 1st Airbus A321neo

On 21 June 2023, Eurowings took delivery of its first Airbus A321neo. The aircraft, A321-200NX registered D-AEEA (11412) was ferried on this day from Hamburg-Finkenwerder to Düsseldorf. Here it will receive additional tender, love and care before it will begin its commercial flights in August. The Airbus is outfitted with 232 seats in a single-class lay-out and will begin its commercial service mainly flying to Palma de Mallorca.

In total, Eurowings will receive thirteen A321-200NXs, which will join a fleet that's currently made-up of 31 A319s, 50 A320s, seven A320neos, six A321s, and four B737-800s.

Airbus Updates No.3979

 

Jet2 takes first A321neo, wet-leases two A321ceo

Jet2 Airbus A321-200N© Airbus

11.04.2023 - 16:50 UTC

Jet2 (United Kingdom) (LS, Leeds/Bradford) has taken delivery of its first A321-200NX and sourced an additional two A321-200s under a two-year seasonal wet-lease contract.

G-SUNB (msn 11379) was registered in the United Kingdom on March 31, 2023, and delivered from Hamburg Finkenwerder to East Midlands for final repainting on April 1. On April 5, it was repositioned to Manchester International, but has yet to enter revenue service, Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows.

The aircraft is the first of sixty-three A321-200NX ordered by Jet2 plc from Airbus. The leisure-oriented low-cost carrier ordered the initial batch of 34 aircraft in August 2021 but has since gradually upped its commitment. The aircraft will replace Jet2's ageing fleet of B737-300s (currently numbering seven aircraft with an average age of 25.1 years), B737-800s (84 aircraft with an average age of 13.7 years), and B757-200s (eight units, 32.5 years old on average).

However, as the airline strives to add more capacity for the busy summer season, it has also signed a long-term wet-lease commitment with Titan Airways (ZT, London Stansted) covering two A321-200s. G-POWN (msn 3830) started operating on behalf of Jet2 out of London Stansted on March 31, 2023. The other unit, G-POWU (msn 3708), has yet to be deployed into service on behalf of the LCC. Titan Airways said both wet leases would run through early November 2023 and will repeat during the Summer 2024 season.

Jet2 also operates a small in-house subfleet of three A321-200s, as well as one more unit of the type wet-leased from Hi Fly (5K, Beja).

Airbus Updates No.3972

 

Sky Express new Airbus A321neo-operator

On 1 April 2023, Sky Express from Greece became the newest A321neo-operator by conducting its first commercial flight with the type. The aircraft, SX-GRA (8014) flew its first passengers to Santorini from Athens and was handed-over just two days earlier on 30 March 2023. Previously, this Airbus saw service with Interjet from Mexico.

The A321neo is the first of two of the type the airline is leasing, which will join a fleet of four ATR42-500s, eight ATR72-600s, one A320 and eight A320neos.

Airbus Updates No.3970

 

HiSky Europe takes first Airbus A321neo(LR)

HiSky Europe Airbus A321-200NX(LR)© HiSky

03.04.2023 - 09:05 UTC

HiSky Europe (H4, Iasi) has taken delivery of the first of two A321-200NX(LR)s on lease from Air Lease Corporation after YR-WOW (msn 10928) was ferried to Bucharest Henri Coanda on March 30, 2023. The jet is configured for up to 201 passengers, including eight business class seats.

The Romanian carrier debuted the aircraft in commercial service on March 31, with its first flight to Dublin International. Local aviation news website BoardingPass.ro said YR-WOW would initially be used on scheduled flights to Dublin, Malaga, and Tel Aviv Ben Gurion, as well as for charter services.

The ch-aviation fleets advanced module shows that HiSky Europe also operates four A320-200s, while its Moldovan sister carrier, HiSky (H7, Chisinau), operates a single A319-100.

Airbus Updates No.3953

 

HiSky Europe takes first A321neo(LR)

HiSky Airbus A320-200© Marius Gerber

06.03.2023 - 14:12 UTC

HiSky Europe (H4, Iasi) has taken delivery of its first A321-200NX(LR) at a handover ceremony at Hamburg Finkenwerder airport, although delivery to Romania is only expected at the end of the month.

YR-WOW (msn 10928), leased from Air Lease Corporation, operated its customer acceptance flight on February 28, 2023. According to BoardingPass.ro, a local aviation news website, the aircraft will soon be ferried to Ostrava for painting before heading to Romania later this month. HiSky Europe said it would enter into service "very soon".

The aircraft is configured for up to 201 passengers, including eight business class seats in a 2-2 configuration and 193 economy class seats.

The A321-200NX(LR) will join HiSky Europe's fleet of four A320-200s. Moldovan sister carrier HiSky (H7, Chisinau) operates one A319-100. The group has another A321-200NX(LR) due from the same lessor with delivery scheduled for April 2023.

Airbus Updates No.3938

 

EgyptAir takes first Airbus A321neo

EgyptAir Fleet© Ostend Airport PR

28.02.2023 - 10:58 UTC

EgyptAir Holding has taken delivery of its first A321-200NX, with the ferry flight to Cairo International taking place on February 27.

SU-GFR (msn 11164) is the first of seven A321neo EgyptAir (MS, Cairo International) will take from AerCap, according to the ch-aviation fleets advanced module. The airline's new-generation narrowbody fleet already comprises eight A320-200Ns, all of which are also leased from AerCap.

The first A321neo is scheduled to enter into commercial service on April 1, plying the daily Cairo International-Amsterdam Schiphol route.

EgyptAir will operate its A321neo in two configurations. Dual-class aircraft will seat up to 185 passengers, including 16 in dedicated business class, while the single-class aircraft will be configured for up to 199 passengers.

The airline's fleet also includes twelve A220-300s, three A320-200s, three A330-200s, one A330-200(P2F), four A330-300s, twenty-eight B737-800, one recently redelivered B737-800(SF), six B777-300(ER)s, and six B787-9s.

AIRBUS UPDATES NO.3893

 

Photo Credit: Jetstar

Santa delivers two A321neo’s to Jetstar for Christmas

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Christmas has seen the delivery of two new Airbus A321neo aircraft for Australian low-cost carrier Jetstar.

The two A321neos or specifically the A321-251NXs with the registration of VH-OFP and VH-OFQ landed at Perth on Christmas eve.

VH-OFP landed in Perth at 10:58 PM and VH-OFQ landed at 11:08 PM respectively according to Flightradar24, with both then continuing to Melbourne afterwards for final delivery.

Both aircraft came in from Bangalore (BLR), departing from Hamburg on the 23rd of December as flight numbers: JQ8996 and JQ8998.

The two airliners are the ‘LR’ version or the Long Range of the Airbus A320 NEO family, which carries an extra duel in three additional centre tanks, which enables the aircraft to fly up to 4,000 nautical miles with 206 passengers. 

Airbus Updates No.3826

Frontier Airlines welcomes 1st A321neo

On 11 October 2022, Frontier Airlines welcomed its first Airbus A321neo in the fleet with a special ceremony at Tampa-International Airport (FL). The aircraft, A321-200NX N903FR (11032) is featuring a special "America's Green Airline"-livery and featurs a bald eagle on the tail. It had already arrived at the airport on 1 October after delivery from Hamburg-Finkenwerder.

The A321-200NX is the first of 176 A321neos the airline has on order, consisting of 158 A321-200NXs (A321neoLR) and eighteen A321-200NYs (A321neoXLR). Today, Frontier Airlines also operates fourteen A320s, 80 A320neos and 21 A321s.

Airbus Updates No.3811

 

Wizz Air launches new units and orders more aircraft

Wizz Air is in a big expansion mode and has transferred its first aircraft to its new Maltese subsidiary. We already reported on the plans about this new unit in May 2022. The first aircraft registered in Malta is Airbus A321-200NX 9H-WAM (10389), which was previously registered HA-LVS and registered on 25 September 2022. By summer 2023, Wizz Air Malta is set to have 78 aircraft.

The company is also planning to establish a subsidiary in Saudi Arabia, now that the number of flights operating to that country is expanding rapidly. In total, Wizz Air is considering growing the fleet of the new unit to 50 aircraft by 2030. Wizz Air is now in discussions with local partners to back-up the plans.

To be able to handle this growth, the Wizz Air Holding announced it has decided to firm up options for 75 A321neos into firm orders. The new Airbuses will be used for expansion as well as replacing older, less fuel efficient A320s/A321s in the fleet.

Photo by Wizz Air.

Airbus Updates No.3784

 

AirAsia to resume A321neo deliveries in 2024 - Fernandes

AirAsia Airbus A321-200NX© Airbus

01.09.2022 - 23:11 UTC

After pausing deliveries earlier in the pandemic, AirAsia (AK, Kuala Lumpur Int'l) will start accepting new A321-200NXs again from 2024. Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A (formerly AirAsia Group and owners of the AirAsia brand), confirmed the resumption while presenting the company's second quarter financial results in Kuala Lumpur this week.

Capital A posted an operating loss of MYR491.3 million ringgits (USD109.8 million) for 2Q22 but is enjoying exponential revenue increases with most travel restrictions eased in the company's core Southeast Asian markets. AirAsia operated 65 planes during the second quarter. By August, that had increased to 108 planes. By the end of the year, the Capital A anticipates having 160 aircraft flying. In addition to the Kuala Lumpur-based AirAsia, there are several affiliate AirAsia airlines including Thai AirAsia, Philippines AirAsia, Indonesia AirAsia, and AirAsia India.

"We will also be taking delivery of the new Airbus A321neos from 2024, which will further reduce our emissions per seat by 20% while further driving our business growth," said Fernandes. However, the CEO did not specify how many new aircraft he expects in 2024 nor did he provide a year-by-year delivery breakdown across later years.

The ch-aviation PRO airlines module reveals AirAsia has 362 A321-200NX on order, with deliveries expected through to 2035. To date, the airline has received just four of the type with two in service with the Malaysian AOC and two with Thai AirAsia. AirAsia India also has eight A321neo on order. In April 2020, AirAsia halted all deliveries pending a review of its order book which subsequently lead to 13 undelivered A320-200Ns being converted into A321neo.

Airbus Updates No.3752

 

JetSMART Has Its First Airbus A321neo

Yesterday South American ultra-low-cost-carrier JetSMART took delivery of its first Airbus A321neo.

The handover took place in Hamburg, Germany and marks the first delivery of the 47 Airbus A321neo JetSMART has on order. Data from Flightradar24.com shows the new aircraft, registered initially as D-AZYK, has operated two flights, both departing from and returning to Hamburg-Finkenwerder Airport (XFW). The first on July 14 was for 2:41 hours, while the second on Monday, July 25, possibly the handover flight, was in the air for 1:21 hours. The A321neo, now registered as CC-AWT, has not yet left Hamburg for the ferry flight home.

CEO Estuardo Ortiz said delivery of the A321neo marks the beginning of a new era for JetSMART and will support its vision to serve 100 million passengers by 2028.

"It is also an important step in becoming the leading ULCC in South America. We worked with Airbus to configure our A321neo as the most competitive aircraft in the market, while maintaining our focus on sustainability and ultra low fares."

JetSMART has ambitious plans to grow its fleet, with ch-aviation.com data showing it has 110 Airbus narrowbodies on order. JetSMART currently has nine aircraft based in Chile, six in Argentina and two in Peru. The fleet comprises eleven Airbus A320-200s and six A320-200neos. Its orders are for A320neo, A321neo, A321NX and A321XLR aircraft. The new A321neo is leased from Aviation Capital Management, and last week JetSMART announced it would lease six A320neos from another lessor, BOC Aviation.

Like almost all airlines, JetSMART has its own sustainability goals, and it believes the A321neo will be crucial to their achievement. The A321neo is powered by new generation Pratt & Whitney geared-turbofan engines, which, combined with the wing Sharklets, deliver more than 20% fuel and CO2 savings, plus a 50% noise reduction. Arturo Barreira, president of Airbus Latin America and the Caribbean, said, "The A321neo's performance and efficiency will allow JetSMART to continue offering low fares while reducing its carbon footprint."

JetSMART is adding more capacity to its existing A320neo fleet.

As a ULCC, JetSMART needs to maximize capacity, and the A321neo is configured for up to 240 passengers, a 30% lift from the A320neo. The airplane has the latest Airspace cabin, which features the widest single-aisle cabin, unique lighting displays and the extra large Airspace XL overhead luggage bins. Airbus says these XL bins can store 60% more luggage than previous generation narrowbodies.

JetSMART and its subsidiaries in Peru and Argentina have an extensive network of destinations across South America. From Chile, it operates to six countries, 25 destinations and 43 routes, while the Argentinian airline serves 17 destinations and 33 routes in three countries. JetSMART Peru launched domestic services in June, operating to 10 destinations on 13 routes. At the launch, Ortiz said JetSMART Peru would "offer point-to-point flights, shorter flights to destinations that today are not connected, allowing greater transfer opportunities for passengers who from now on will pay only for what they need and use for their trip."