Airbus A321 Aeroflot - cabin layout and best seats. Airbus A321 Ural Airlines - cabin layout and best seats Airbus a321 year of manufacture
The Airbus A321-100 entered service in early 1994 and is currently the largest member of the A320 family. The A321 received an elongated fuselage compared to other models of the series, and at the same time an increased passenger capacity. Aircraft of the A320 family are known for their spacious passenger cabin with roomy niches for hand luggage, large lower deck capacity and wide hatches for loading luggage. Their mass production is located in Hamburg-Finkenwerder (Germany) and Toulouse (France).
A bit of history
The original version of the A321-100 failed to create competition American aircraft Boeing 757-200, as a result of which in 1994 the German company DASA, which is part of the Airbus Industrie consortium, initiated an improved version of the airliner with increased takeoff weight and flight range. The updated version was offered to airlines that operate long-haul flights in the European region, as well as firms that operate non-stop flights linking the east and west coasts of the United States.
A321 in the air
A321-200, due to the refinement of its predecessor, acquired a greater flight range and takeoff weight. The completion of the "hundredth" model was carried out over two years: from 1994 to 1996. This was necessary to compete with Boeing. Thanks to its characteristics and reliability, this aircraft still looks worthy even among younger analogues.
Note! The A321, due to its fuel economy and large cabin capacity, has the lowest estimated cost per km per passenger of any narrow-body aircraft, which means that it is cheaper for any traveler to travel each kilometer in the A321 than in other narrow-body aircraft.
Despite the rather long period of time since the start of production of the A321, this model is still being finalized and modernized, adjusting its characteristics to the modern requirements of the aircraft industry. IN this moment the company is actively working on the commissioning of advanced powertrains for the A321. The modernization course is carried out under the name New Engine Option, in the future the liners are planned to be supplied with CFM International LEAP-X and Pratt & Whitney PW1000G engines. An additional 16% of fuel saved can be considered their feature, however, the actual data is usually slightly less than the declared ones, since these values are often somewhat lower when upgrading an existing model. The use of improved engines, according to preliminary calculations, should increase the maximum possible length of the flight by 950 km, and the maximum lifted weight - by 2 tons.
Interesting to know! To increase the flight range and reduce operating costs, special modifications for the wings - sharkle - are installed on the A320 model range as part of the NEO program. Their prototype, winglets, was first used exclusively on Boeing aircraft, starting with the 1985 model 747-400. After careful analysis and refinement of the shape of the winglets, Airbus patented its design under the original name Sharklets.
sharklets
Aircraft characteristics
For an optimal assessment and the right choice of the best seats in the cabin of the liner, it is worth knowing in advance how many rows are available on the aircraft and studying the corresponding layout of the vessel that is assigned to the desired flight. However, in order to determine the quality seats almost any liner scheme can be used.
The physical dimensions of the Airbus A321 cabin allow accommodating from 170 passengers in a cabin consisting of two classes, or up to 220 people, subject to the use of seats in one class, which is quite enough for charter and low-cost flights, in addition, it should be borne in mind 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 the 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 expands to 220 seats. In this configuration, the entire cabin is one class.
Who operates the A321
The Airbus A321 aircraft is used by companies such as:
- Aegean Airlines;
- Air Canada;
- AirChina;
- 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.
Schemes A321
The Airbus A321 cabin layout is especially popular, which the well-known Aeroflot prefers to use.
Scheme 1
1-7 rows. They are places that are classified as business class, but it is worth noting that the first and seventh rows among them provide minimal convenience. This is due to the fact that there is a wall of technical rooms in front of the first row of seats and a restroom cubicle is located literally at your side, and the seventh row borders on a 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 places 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 seats of the economy class of all available on the liner of this model, an additional plus 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 implies a much larger range of food and drinks compared to the rest of the passengers.
9-17 rows. Ordinary places of the budget category, without any differences.
18 row. The places in this row are also classified as standard, only toilets nearby interfere, as a result of which discomfort may appear due to the constant movement of passengers and crowds of people who want to visit the restroom, which creates unnecessary stress and will not only distract, but possibly annoy.
19 row. In all respects, this row is identical in convenience to the eighth row. There is also free legroom here, but the proximity of the restrooms makes this row much less convenient.
20 row. The places located here should be noted as quite convenient. The attractiveness of this row is due not only to free legroom, but also to the opportunity to enjoy the panoramas of the earth's surface opening outside the windows immediately after departure.
In the 30th row (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 close placement 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.
Important! Tickets for this row are bought last, in the absence of other options, as they are considered the most unfortunate places on the plane.
Scheme 2
The next 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 in Aeroflot, in particular, it is used on the following liners:
- 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
The Airbus 321-200 is also operated by such an airline as Nordwind Airlines. It uses a modification with a single-class cabin, which can transport 220 people - such aircraft are often used for short and medium distances and on flights with an average passenger flow.
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. Travelers who often use the services of these airlines should consider in detail the plan of the aircraft and determine the places in the Airbus A 321 where it will be most convenient for the passenger during the flight.
Note! On the official website of Ural Airlines, the scheme 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, therefore, the features are further considered using the example of the Airbus A321, the scheme of the Nord Wind airline.
Row 1 has both positive and negative sides. There is a wall in front, which makes it a little difficult to adopt a comfortable leg position, but it should also be noted that this is the first row, respectively, there will be no person reclining the seat. The close location of the galley and toilet adds inconvenience to these places, but passenger service begins from here.
9F and 23F row. The seatbacks cannot be adjusted due to the partition located behind them, which causes some discomfort - it is not very convenient to be in an upright position for the entire flight.
10 and 24 A, B, C. The situation is similar to the ninth row, but here it 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, not 3 seats, which can be considered a plus, especially for those who travel together.
Rows 11 and 25 are considered the most comfortable. They are located right after the emergency exits, which creates free space. Thanks to this, it becomes possible not only to recline the back of your chair, to take a comfortable position of your legs, but also to easily leave your place, practically without causing any discomfort to your companions.
Important! Far from all categories of passengers can be located at these places: tickets will not be sold to the elderly, the disabled, as well as people traveling with children and animals. In addition, it is forbidden to clutter up the passages to the emergency doors, so all luggage will have to be placed at the top - this is due to the safety requirements on the plane.
36 row, places C and D. Location - next to the toilets, which is why small queues form in the vicinity of these places. Often, the bathrooms at the end of the salon are used by both the middle and rear salons, which is a fairly large number of people.
37 - the last row. These places are rightfully considered the most inconvenient, due to the blocked backs of the seats, as well as the inconvenience associated with the proximity of the toilet.
In general, the Airbus A321 is a very comfortable aircraft, which is why it is operated by more than a hundred airlines. When choosing seats, you need to follow the general recommendations: first study the layout of the aircraft, do not buy tickets at the tail or near the technical rooms and do not choose seats that do not recline. If you follow these tips, then even the longest flight will be comfortable and unnoticed.
It has 10 Airbus A321s that serve passenger traffic. They are designed for medium haul flights. Of course, before departure, many passengers would like to know the location of the seats on the Ural Airlines aircraft, namely the cabin layout of the Airbus A321 Ural Airlines and the best seats there.
First, let's look at some features of the Airbus A321. And, and you can find out in the relevant articles on our website.
This model is in use since 1994. She is the largest among all the others in the A320 family. This is the narrow-body branch of Airbus.
Narrow-body aircraft- this is the one in which there is a single, narrow passage between the chairs. The flight range is up to 5600 km. Length - 44.51 m. Height - 11, 76. The wingspan reaches 35.8 m.
Airbus A321 Ural Airlines.
Improved wingtips improve aerodynamics and save on fuel, while only increasing the distance this aircraft is capable of flying.
In general, with this model, 1 km of flight will cost less to the passenger, since it consumes less fuel and allows you to accommodate more people.
A321 has 2 exits in the bow and tail sections, on both sides of the fuselage and 2 emergency hatches in the middle of each of its sides.
Scheme of the cabin Airbus Industrie A321 "Ural Airlines"
It counts 38 rows, 2 and 3 chairs in a row.
Salon layout.
Rows 1 to 10 There are 3 chairs on the left and right sides. The very first row is directly opposite the kitchens and toilets. In this regard, he has a somewhat twofold position.
The advantage here is that you can sit down with your feet in the most comfortable position for you. Also, you can not be afraid that the back of the chair in front will be reclined on you.
The disadvantages are obvious - smells from the kitchen, all kinds of sounds and lines to the toilets - all this will interfere and disturb. Also, tables are not allowed.
2-9 rows convenient for their proximity to the kitchen. If you sit here, you will be served before the rest.
10th row is located right in front of the emergency exits, so the obvious drawback here is that the backs do not recline or do not fully recline. They are made in such a way as not to block the passage.
11th row, as can be seen from the diagram, has only 2 chairs on each side. It is convenient to sit here if you are traveling in pairs, so that the third passenger does not disturb you. In addition, you can safely sit in any position convenient for you.
However, it also has a number of significant disadvantages:
- it is colder here than in other places;
- fixed tables in the armrests;
- lack of a porthole;
- it is impossible to place any things near the chairs;
- categories of passengers such as families with small children or animals, pensioners and the disabled are not allowed to choose these seats for obvious reasons.
Very comfortable seats A and F in the 12th row due to the fact that there are no seats in front, and accordingly, you can safely put your feet. Also, there are portholes.
Seat layout.
From 13 to 24 row there are quite standard places.
25th row has approximately the same set of characteristics as the 10th.
26th row will again be suitable for those who like to stretch their legs. Plus, the row in front is completely absent, which means that no one will bother you.
But do not choose seats A and F, as they may be in a different position than the rest. One armrest may not be enough. It's cool in here because they're close to the emergency exits.
From 27 to 36 row there are regular seats that will suit all categories of passengers.
Seats in the 37th and 38th rows the most uncomfortable in such a cabin, since the toilets are just behind them. Plus, the backs of the seats rest against the wall of the toilet, which means you have to fly without changing position.
It can be too stuffy and very cold here.. Perhaps this is due to poor conditioning.
If there are no other options, then at least choose seats F or E, since they are not at the aisle. But no need to consider place D- it is the most extreme to the passage, which means that there can be no talk of a calm flight.
How to choose a seat in the cabin
Choosing a seat on a Ural Airlines plane is best done in advance, after familiarizing yourself with the location of the seats and following the simple recommendations below:
- do not sit at the window or in the rows limited by the wall of the toilet or kitchen if you suffer from claustrophobia or acrophobia;
- in case of feeling unwell during the flight, sit down in those places that are closer to the toilet;
- if your flight is with a transfer, then try to choose a seat closer to the exit in advance;
- the company has an additional service - you can pre-book the desired seat on the plane by paying an additional amount;
- at check-in, you can specify the place you need in advance.
Even if you didn't get very comfortable spot, if there are free seats, you can change it.
The Airbus A321 narrow-body aircraft, designed for passenger transportation on short and medium-haul airlines, was launched by the European consortium Airbus S.A.S in 1988. He became the first aircraft with a fly-by-wire control system. As of July 2016, 7911 such liners have been sold.
The new liner received a cabin equipped according to the most modern standards for that period. Pointer devices were replaced by screens. Instead of steering wheels, side handles are installed. All their movements, processed by the computer, are transmitted to the mechanisms. Thanks to high level automation, the crew size was increased to two pilots.
The passenger cabin of the airliner is spacious. Shelves for hand luggage have a large capacity. Due to the increased cargo hatches, luggage loading is faster and more convenient. This aircraft is the largest among narrow-body aircraft of this company. It is also worth noting that the flight cost is the lowest among this class of aircraft.
In Russia, all major airlines have the A321, including Aeroflot and Ural Airlines. At the same time, this liner is presented in their fleets as having several options for the layout of the cabin. Since the flight range of the aircraft is close to six thousand kilometers, it is actively used in the transportation of large tourist groups abroad. Most often, in such cases, liners are used that have a cabin layout represented only by the economy class. In this regard, Ural Airlines stands out, preferring aircraft with this cabin layout only.
The best and worst places
The seats in the front row in the economy class layout have both pluses and minuses. They are near both the kitchen and the toilet. Therefore, queues can accumulate here during the flight. In addition, although there are no seats in front, which means that no one will recline the back, somewhat embarrassing the passenger, there is nothing good in front of the eyes of a blank wall. However, this is to some extent offset by the fact that there is more space ahead. So it's comfortable to sit in this row.
Armchairs located in rows from the second to the ninth do not differ in advantages and disadvantages. True, there is still a plus. The flight attendants carry food, starting from the nose of the aircraft. So the passengers sitting in these rows get it first.
The tenth row is in front of the emergency exit. For this reason, it has a disadvantage. They are non-reclining seatbacks.
In the eleventh row there are not 6 chairs, but four. It is located at the emergency exit. For this reason, there are no seats near the windows. They could interfere with the emergency landing. This line is one of the best. There are no seats in front, so you can always comfortably position your legs. The inconvenience is that the folding tables are in the armrests. Because of this, they cannot be lifted.
In the twelfth row, the chairs at the windows are comfortable. Here, the seats in front do not interfere with the passengers, since there are none. So sitting in this row by the windows for several hours of flight is not particularly tiring.
Places in rows from the thirteenth to the 24th do not have any special features. But passengers in the next, 25th row have inconvenience. They are the same as in the tenth row. The backs of these chairs do not recline.
Seats in the 26th row have the same features as in the eleventh. There are plenty of places up front as well. However, unlike the eleventh row, there are not four seats here, but six. At the same time, seats A and F, located next to the emergency exit, are installed with some bevelling.
The chairs in rows 27 to 36 do not differ in any way. True, the rows located closer to the tail of the aircraft are at the same time closer to the toilet. Here, as in the bow, queues may appear.
The worst places are those in the 37th and 38th rows. The toilet is located in close proximity to them. Somewhat for the better, places E and F, located in the 37th row, stand out here. They are located at the portholes. Unlike passengers sitting at the aisle, passengers here are not disturbed by those who walk down the aisle or stand in line for the toilet.
The further fate of the liner
The A321 aircraft successfully competes with its counterparts. New engines and wingtips made it possible to increase its workload. This increase was two tons. Increased by 900 kilometers and flight range. This happened due to the two reasons mentioned above, which ensured a fifteen percent reduction in fuel consumption.
With two class layout, the cabin of the liner can accommodate 185 passengers. If there is only one class in the cabin, then the number of passengers is 220 people. The new A321 models provide for an increase in the number of passengers. Due to a more rational layout, the aircraft will be able to carry 240 people. At the same time, the seats will remain as comfortable as on existing models.
Characteristics of the Airbus A321 aircraft
Length: 44.5 m.
Height: 11.8 m.
Wingspan: 35.8 m.
Wing area: 122.4 sq.m.
Fuselage width: 3.7 m.
Cruise speed: 840 km/h.
Maximum speed: 890 km/h.
Flight range: 5900 km.
Number of passenger seats: 185 - 236.
Crew: 2 hours
Conclusion
The given characteristics of the aircraft and the level of comfort provided to passengers indicate that the A321 airliner has become a new step in the development civil aviation. Although it is not a new development, the found design solutions allow for its further improvement.
The use of new engines, the arrangement of wingtips, in all likelihood, will not be the limit that can be applied on an aircraft. AP means that in the coming years we can expect further improvement. It is possible that there will be many such improvements, and all of them will be combined in the new model of the airliner.
Calculating the cost of a taxi to the airport
The Airbus A321 is the largest aircraft in the A320 family. S7 Airlines uses the A321 in a business + economy layout.
Specifications A321
The layout of the seats in the cabin A321:
Business class seats
Business class in the A321 occupies 8 seats. Seats are arranged in a 2 x 2 pattern. Any of the seats in this class will provide you with comfort in flight. The attached photo clearly shows the interior.
Seats in economy class
As with any economy class cabin, S7 Airlines' A321 has its best seats, regular seats and seats to avoid when checking in.
Row 3
The best seats on the plane are located on this row. Some passengers claim that the partition between the business class and the 3rd row of the economy class creates discomfort during the flight.
I see only pluses in the presence of this wall.
- No one will lower the back of the seat in front of you and limit your space.
- In flight, you have a positive light green picture in front of you, and not someone's hair, or vice versa, the absence of it.
- Children will not play with dolls/cars on the back of the chair in front of you, dropping toys into your coffee.
- Toilet with no queues next to you.
- Guaranteed hot lunch and drinks in a full range.
Hand luggage can be placed in overhead luggage racks. If there is no free space on the shelf, give your bag to the flight attendant - he will find where to place your luggage.
Rows 4-8
Ordinary places. Standard seat pitch. The view from the porthole is not obscured by the wing or engine. Those who choose an aisle seat will not be disturbed by passengers walking around the cabin or standing in lines for the toilet.
As practice shows, toilets in the tail of the cabin are in greater demand than on the nose.
The noise and hum of voices will literally remain behind you.
Row 9
I do not recommend choosing seats in this row for lovers of landscapes during the flight. There are no chairs by the porthole. To the additional inconvenience of seating in seats 9B and 9E, I will attribute the contemplation of stretched legs with or without shoes, passengers from row 10 who have registered in seats A and F.
Row 10
Important! Extra legroom seats A and F only!
The rest of the seats do not differ in parameters from the seats, for example, in the 5th row.
Row 11
Seat spacing is standard. Inconveniences can be delivered, partially blocking the view from the window, the engine on the wing and increased noise from work at some stages of the flight.
Rows 12-19
Seats in these rows are practically in the middle of the cabin. As a rule, in aircraft similar to the A321 mu, food is carried from the nose and tail at the same time.
Passengers in the center rows (12-19) can get a limited range of food without a choice.
Lovers of places at the "window" these rows are also not suitable. All views are covered by a wing.
Row 20
The view from the porthole is partially obscured by the trailing edge of the wing and the engine. Additional noise during takeoff and landing is possible.
Row 22
Unique row. Basically business class. There are two armchairs and there are no people on the left or on the right. Just as there is no place 22F - i.e. at the porthole. In place of this seat, the legs of the passenger from seat 23F can be extended.
Row 23
Armchairs in this row have increased legroom.
1. Depending on the tail number of the Airbus A321 in S7 Airlines, seats with Extra Space may differ.
2. There are no portholes in this row!
Row 24-34
Ordinary seats, standard seat pitch. The closer to the 34th row, the more likely it is to contemplate the queue for the toilet.
Row 35
The seats of the last row are traditionally the worst places in the cabin of any aircraft.
The backs of the seats in this row do not recline, which creates inconvenience during a long flight. The proximity of the most visited toilets A321.
Discomfort from slamming doors, conversations and people leaning back in their chairs waiting in line for the toilet, etc.
Airbus A321 is a modification of the older model A320. The main difference in it was improved engines, new brakes and increased length. Thanks to the latter, 24% more seats for passengers began to fit in the cabin. The aircraft is produced in various modifications and has several possible layouts, chosen taking into account the interests of the airline carrying out transportation.
How it was created and where it is produced
In 1988, Airbus introduced the new A320 airliner. It was the continuation of the A300 narrow-body series and the first scheduled passenger aircraft to be fitted with a fly-by-wire system. During development, the main focus was on the ability to choose from several layouts of seats in the cabin and the economy in assembly. For the finished product, the goal was to gain an advantage over the Boeing 737 competitor.
Shortly after the start of official operation of the A320, it became clear that the new aircraft received the expected interest from potential buyers. Therefore, the company decided to expand the range by creating modifications. By 1994, she had produced the Airbus A321. The aircraft became the largest of the entire A320 series, could accommodate up to 220 people and could fly slightly longer distances than the basic version.
Increased attention to the new liner was due to its features. Most of all, the widespread use of digital technologies aroused interest. They helped to control the aircraft, provided increased comfort to passengers and raised safety to new level. Also attractive in the aircraft was the use of composites, which had a positive effect on the technical characteristics and capabilities of the A321.
Until 2008, the assembly of airliners was carried out in France, where individual elements were brought on cargo aircraft or sea vessels. Production of the A321 was later moved to Germany. Some parts of the aircraft are made in China and the UK.
Have you flown an A321?
YesNo
IN Airbus cabin A321 multiple layouts can be applied. The most commonly used two-class, consisting of business and economy classes. Sometimes the aircraft is equipped only in a single-class version. In such cases, the number of places increases significantly.
Each row of economy class consists of six seats, placed three on each side and separated by a narrow aisle. In business class, seats are distributed 2 on the left and on the right. Between some rows there are emergency exits and doors, of which there are eight and six on board, respectively.
Economy seats are installed in increments of 75–80 cm. Their width is 45 cm. In business class, the interval is increased to 95 cm. The width of the seats also increases to 52.2 cm. Despite a small difference, the level of comfort in the business version is much higher .
The standard version can accommodate up to 185 passengers. 157 are in economy, 28 are in business class. Which layout will be used depends on the carrier. Most often there are several options:
- 170 seats, 142/28 ("Yamal");
- 170 seats, 142/28 (Aeroflot);
- 183 seats, 167/16 (Aeroflot);
- 186 seats, 170/16 (Aeroflot);
- 197 seats, 189/8 (S7);
- 220 seats, economy (Ural Airlines);
- 210 seats, economy (Nordwind);
- 220 seats, economy (Nordwind);
- 220 seats, economy (Red Wings).
Other variations in layout or number of seats available are possible. The airline chooses a cabin taking into account the demand for a certain class and the popularity of the direction in which the airliner will fly.
Top seats in economy class
With a standard layout of 185 seats, the best seats on the Airbus A321 aircraft are considered to be six seats in the eighth row. An emergency exit located at the front increases the free space in front of passengers. Therefore, here you can safely get up without disturbing your neighbors, stretch your legs and fully relax. When delivering food or drinks, the flight attendants, approaching these places, provide an even greater choice, which is reduced with each row.
Several seats in the second half of the aircraft are considered convenient. They are located on the 20th row. The chairs next to the window are the best. Its advantage is that there is also a lot of free space in front of it, which is due to the lack of seats in front.
The rest do not stand out for their comfort, and some are frankly uncomfortable. On the 18th and 19th rows, passengers will feel uncomfortable from the proximity of the toilet - the constant walking of people, queues, noise. Similar inconveniences are experienced by those who purchase tickets for 30 or 31 rows. On the latter, it is also impossible to recline the backs of the seats, which causes even more discomfort.
When choosing places for other layouts, one should be guided by their remoteness from the toilet or technical premises, as well as the presence of increased free space in front. You can get acquainted with the scheme of the aircraft on the airline's website or from the manager.
Best Business Class Seats
The business class consists of a standard cabin of 28 seats located in seven rows. Armchairs are comfortable with amenities. The best places the seats located from the 2nd to the 6th row are considered. Passengers have a lot of free space, do not experience any discomfort and can rest in peace.
The exception in the business class for convenience was only seats in the 1st or 7th row. Sitting on the first floor, passengers are disturbed by the walking of others to the toilet, as well as the constant noise and light coming from the cabin. On the last row, the inconvenience is associated with sounds coming from the economy class. Often this becomes a problem if the passenger wants to relax or sleep.
Wi-Fi and other amenities on board
On the Airbus A321 aircraft, passengers are provided with a number of amenities that are designed to ensure a comfortable flight and have a good time. The basic version of the liner provides for 4 kitchens and 4 toilets on board. The business class is equipped with a wardrobe.
Passengers with children can sit in the first or eighth row - there are cradles where you can place the baby. For other arrangements, suitable chairs may vary. Six special places are also allocated for flight attendants.
Other amenities depend on the airline operating the aircraft. Most often, each passenger has a socket for charging. electronic devices. Some build small displays into the backs of their seats, on which you can watch movies. Wi-Fi is available on most airlines for an additional fee.
Flight performance
The A321 has become slightly larger than the older A320. Its length is 44.51 m with a height of 11.76 m. The wingspan remains the same and is equal to 34.1 m with an area of 122.6 m². The weight of the liner without load is 48.5 tons. It can take off at 93.5 tons, while landing it should weigh no more than 77.8 tons. The permissible commercial load reaches 23.4 tons.
The installed CFM56-5A/5B or IAE V2500-A5 engines deliver thrust from 13600 to 15000 kgf. They provide the aircraft with a cruising speed of 828 km/h, while it can accelerate to 890 km/h. For takeoff, the liner will need a takeoff run of 2180 m, and for landing it will need a run of up to 1580 m. It can rise to a height of up to 11900 m.
The fuel reserve is 30030 liters. With a specific consumption of 18.2 g / pass-kg and an hourly expenditure of 3,200 kg, this is enough to cover a distance of up to 5,600 km, taking into account the maximum commercial load.
Airliner design
According to the aerodynamic scheme of Airbus, both the A321 and the A320, which has become the older version, are twin-engine low-wing swept-wing aircraft with single-keel vertical tail. Both are designed for medium haul airlines. Model A321 turned out to be somewhat longer, so it allows you to carry more passengers. The basic layout allows for 185 seats in a two-class version or 220 seats in a one-class cabin.
When creating the aircraft, different composite materials were used. Most of all they were used in wings with stabilizers. This decision made it possible to reduce the total weight of the aircraft, increase the payload and improve technical performance.
The airliner received a reinforced wing, which is characterized by increased reliability. It has special endings called sharklets. They are made like winglets and are designed for improved versions of the A320. The company's representatives note that sharklets increase the aerodynamics of the aircraft, reduce fuel consumption by 3.5% and minimize carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. The absence of such endings would lead to a decrease in flight range by 180 km or a decrease in the maximum payload by 500 kg.
New turbofan engines CFM56-5A/5B or IAE V2500-A5 have become more powerful. The noise level from them has decreased, fuel consumption has become more economical, and emissions of harmful substances have decreased. They are placed one on each side under the wing.
The cockpit is equipped with EFIS digital avionics, which includes six special displays on the aircraft dashboard, which displays all the necessary information about the flight. If individual elements fail, an appropriate warning will immediately appear so that the pilots can take the necessary measures in a timely manner.
The presence of an Airbus A321 black box allows you to get information about the flight and negotiations after the disaster, if it occurs. It is located inside the tail compartment and can withstand severe shocks and high temperatures, thanks to which it is preserved even if the liner crashes.
Models and modifications
The aircraft is produced in three modifications: A321-100, A321-200, A321neo. The first is practically not exploited, and the second is gradually replaced by the third. Each new version received its own improvements, which gave it a number of advantages.
The first model A321-100 was produced from 1994 with V2500 or CFM56 engines. The plane could become a serious competitor even for the Boeing 757, but this did not happen. The reason for this was insufficiently advanced characteristics. Therefore, in 1996, the second model was introduced.
The Airbus A321-200 received an increased takeoff weight and increased flight range, which was achieved by installing additional fuel tanks. The liner became more successful than its predecessor and quickly spread to many major airlines.
In 2016, the Airbus A321neo was introduced, which has become an improved version of the base aircraft. It is equipped with new upgraded engines PW1100G-JM or CFMI Leap-1A, providing thrust of 15000 and 14500 kgf. Fuel consumption was reduced by 15%.
According to technical data, the A321neo can fly 950 km further and take on board 2 tons more payload. Speed indicators have also been improved. The number of available seats on the aircraft has increased - it can accommodate up to 240 people in a single-class layout.
Airline operators
The A321 is actively operated by many major airlines. In total, more than 1,700 aircraft have been sold over the years of production, while another 400 are in line for the assembly line. The number of orders for the new A321neo is also gradually increasing.
The aircraft is used by the following major overseas carriers:
- American Airlines;
- Air Canada;
- Atlasglobal;
- Turkish Airlines;
- Air France;
- Etihad Airways;
- AirChina;
- Air India;
- Qatar Airways;
- Air Astana;
- Wizz Air.
Also, the liner is in the fleet of many European and Asian air carriers operating international flights. In Russia, the A321 is used by Aeroflot, S7, Ural Airlines and Red Wings. Several aircraft operate periodic flights from the Yamal and Nordwind companies.
The A321 has been in service around the world for over 20 years. During this time, almost two thousand aircraft were produced, which were able to show their best side. Each instance is distinguished by the highest reliability, technical stuffing and ease of management. Passengers also get the opportunity to get to the desired point quickly and comfortably.