Ural Airlines now occupies an honorable fourth place in terms of the volume of passenger traffic served. Every year the air carrier expands its flight program, thereby attracting a large number of new customers and partners.
Ural Airlines has extensive experience in the domestic air transportation market: the company's history dates back to 1943.
The airline's fleet, which consists exclusively of modern, comfortable air transport, certainly deserves special attention. These are mainly models of the European concern Airbus, belonging to the A320 series. The air carrier pays great attention to re-equipping its existing fleet, purchasing new aircraft every year under operating lease.
Now the airline has 27 aircraft in its arsenal, of which 19 are A320 aircraft, 11 are A321 and another 7 are A319.
This is what an Airbus A321 looks like
As mentioned above, the transport fleet of Ural Airlines contains 11 aircraft Model A321. All of them were released between 1998 and 2006. A fairly large number of passengers fly on this type of transport. Of course, for these people it is important what kind of cabin layout the Airbus industrie A321 Ural Airlines has. You need to know this at least in order to prepare for the flight in advance or choose the best seats when booking.
All 11 aircraft have the same configuration. The Ural Airlines A321 cabin layout has 220 economy class seats. Nordwind Airlines aircraft have a similar configuration.
Schematic representation of the A321 cabin with emergency exits
Best places
In order to make your flight as comfortable as possible, you need to take care of choosing your seats in advance. To do this, it is necessary to have an accurate description of the proposed conditions.
In aircraft like the Airbus A321, Ural Airlines offers the best seats, as is usually the case, in the forefront. The following amenities are available to passengers:
- more knee room (compared to standard rows);
- lack of seats in front (no one can recline their seat back);
- relatively good air conditioning.
Of course, these places have certain disadvantages. These include the proximity of toilets and kitchens. For those who do not tolerate unnecessary fuss, noise and various smells, the impression of the flight can be spoiled by these factors. In addition, the close location to the partition creates a feeling of enclosed space. Some passengers really don't like sitting against the wall all the time.
Places located on the 11th row, are also considered one of the best in this aircraft model. They are located in front of the emergency exit, so passengers in the 11th row have a little more space in front of them. You can calmly get up from your seat without disturbing anyone. In addition, the front row seats are locked, and no one can recline the seat back on you.
However, these places also have minor drawbacks. Among them it is worth noting:
- on the 11th row it is sometimes a little colder;
- hand luggage of passengers in this row should not be placed on the floor or in the aisle;
- travelers with small children and animals, elderly citizens, disabled people and pregnant women cannot fly here;
- folding tables are built into the armrests and therefore do not move in any way;
- There is no porthole in this row.
The interior layout of the Airbus 321 Ural Airlines also offers another good option for accommodation - this is row 26. Here the seats have the same advantages as those located in the 11th row. Among the shortcomings, one can note only a larger number of seats. Also, seats A and F may not have armrests. The porthole in this row is either completely absent or not located very conveniently.
Sometimes seats A and F, located in row 12, do not have seats in front. This is very convenient, as there is additional legroom, and no one in front will recline the seat back. This configuration is available on most A321 models. However, it is worth checking with airline staff for information about these places.
The interior of the A321 aircraft with basic designations
Places with obvious disadvantages
The claims that will be described below are made by the majority of passengers. But this does not mean that all travelers are equally uncomfortable flying in such conditions. For some, such comments turn out to be absolutely insignificant.
Places located on the 10th row limited in reclining due to its close location to the emergency exit. Many travelers note that they are uncomfortable flying in one position. Of course, this is quite relevant for long-distance flights. Has the same disadvantages 25th row.
Ural Airlines owns 10 Airbus A321 aircraft. The airliners are far from new: from 1998 to 2006. Aircraft tail numbers: VQ-BOF, VQ-BKJ, VQ-BKH, VQ-BKG, VQ-BDA, VQ-BOC, VQ-BCX, VQ-BOB, VQ-BOZ, VP-BVP.
Absolutely all aircraft were purchased from existing airlines, that is, already “used”. Former users include companies such as: MyTravel, Cyprus Turkish Airlines (KTHY), Atlasjet, Aviation Capital Group (ACG), Solaris Airlines, Air Jamaica, Turkuaz Airlines, ILFC, Airworld, Flying Colors Airlines, Air Mediterranee and some others. Most of the aircraft, before being acquired by Ural Airlines, flew for at least three airlines.
All 10 aircraft have a single-class configuration with 220 economy class seats. Nordwind Airlines has a similar configuration (the plane will also carry 220 passengers). The cabin layout is available on the official website of Ural Airlines:
Let's try to study the diagram in more detail and highlight the best and worst places in the layout of this aircraft.
Row 1. These are good places. The front rows are always some of the best seats on the plane. Although the distance to the partition is small (you can’t stretch your legs far), there is more room for knees than in standard rows. Also a plus is the fact that no one will recline the chair on you. Given the cramped seating in economy class, this is a significant advantage. In addition, in the front rows there are practically no problems with air conditioning. The same cannot be said, for example, about the rows at the back of the plane.
The disadvantages of the first row include the presence of a kitchen and toilets in close proximity. Excessive movement and smells can somewhat spoil the impression of the flight. Also, the partition will loom before your eyes the whole way.
Row 10. There are some comments regarding this series. The seat backs here are limited in reclining, since there is an emergency exit behind. It is not very convenient to fly in one backrest position.
Row 11. The best seats on this plane are located in front of the emergency exit. The front row seats are locked so they won't recline towards you. There's also plenty of legroom, as the emergency exit increases the distance to the front row. There are only 4 seats in a row, so it is convenient to fly as a couple or a family of 4 people.
There are also disadvantages, although they are not significant. Some passengers note that it gets a little colder here. Apparently from behind the emergency exit door. Also, for safety reasons, aisles in a row cannot be blocked with hand luggage. Passengers with small children, elderly people, disabled people, pregnant women and passengers with animals will not be seated in the 11th row.
Row 12. Seats A and F. Due to the missing seats in the front row, there is a lot of legroom here. For the same reasons, no one will lean back on you.
However, please note. According to passenger reviews, some airplanes have additional seats A and F in the 11th row. In this case, these seats will no longer have all of the above advantages. Please check this at the front desk.
Row 25. For the same reasons as in row 10, the seat backs are blocked and do not recline.
Row 26. Good seats for flying, have the same advantages as the 11th row. Only here there are not four, but all six chairs in a row. Seats A and F have characteristic disadvantages - there may be no armrests on the side of the aircraft wall. Also, those who like to gaze out of the airplane window may be disappointed, since the window here is either absent or not located very conveniently.
Row 37, seat D. The seat is the one closest to the aisle, and due to the proximity of the toilets, passengers will constantly bump into you here.
Row 37 and 38. Some of the worst places. The row rests against the wall of the toilet, so the backrests of the seats are limited in reclining. There are always a lot of people here, there are always queues and there is an unpleasant smell. It is not uncommon for the last row to experience problems with air conditioning - it can be either stuffy or cold here.
Narrow-body Airbus A321 aircraft are operated by many Russian airlines for medium and short-haul flights. The first airliner of the Airbus line was released by a European manufacturer in 1987, and a year later its first operation by Air France took place.
The modern A321 airliner has decent equipment: digital avionics systems, fly-by-wire control system, LCD displays in the cockpit, a spacious passenger cabin with a cozy interior, large shelves for hand luggage, high cargo capacity of the lower deck for luggage, individual lighting for passenger seats with adjustable brightness and much more.
In the article we will talk about the A321 medium-haul aircraft and its modifications, list the air carriers using this aircraft with visual comparative characteristics, and also consider the layout of seats and determine the most convenient ones for the flight.
Characteristics and layout of the Airbus A321 cabin
The Airbus A321 has an elongated body (44.5 m). The cabin width is 3.70 m. The cruising speed of the aircraft of this model is 840 km/h, the maximum speed is 890 km/h. Flight range – 5950 km.
The aircraft is equipped with eight passenger doors and four emergency exits. As of 2018, Airbuses A321-100 and A321-200 are in operation around the world with different cabin layouts with a number of seats from 170 to 220.
Interior layout
The manufacturing company supplies Airbus A321 of various modifications to order to partner air carriers. The most popular model is the A321 with 170 and 183 passenger seats with a two-class cabin. Such airliners are also operated by the famous Russian carrier Aeroflot.
The best seats on the plane
In the Airbus A321 with 170 and 183 seats, the cabin is divided into two classes of service: business and economy.
Description of the cabin for 170 passenger seats:
- Rows 1 to 7 – business class. The total number of seats is 28. The seats are arranged in two rows in a 2x2 layout.
- There is a toilet in the nose of the aircraft, intended for passengers traveling on a business fare.
- From 8 to 31 - economy class of service, divided into two sectors. The first one occupies rows 8-18 and is located in the central part of the liner. The second sector is row 23-35 at the rear of the aircraft. A partition is installed behind the last 18th and 31st rows. Nearby there is a toilet room for economy class passengers.
- Between 7-8 and 18-19 there is an emergency exit nearby.
- Seats in the last rows of the rear of the aircraft (rows 29-31) are equipped for passengers with disabilities. There is also a disabled toilet behind the partition.
- The seats in the economy class are installed in two rows in a 3x3 layout (the exception is the 19th row, which has paired seats).
Airbus A321 interior for 183 passenger seats:
- The business class cabin occupies rows 1-4. The seats are installed in a 2x2 pattern. The passenger capacity of the business cabin is 16 seats.
- From rows 8 to 36 - economy class of service, divided into two sectors. The first occupies rows 8-22, the second – from 23 to 35. The seats are installed in a 3x3 layout (with the exception of the 11th row, where seats are equipped in a 2x3 layout).
- Between rows 10-11 and 22-23 there are emergency exits from the aircraft.
- In the bow of the aircraft there is a toilet for business class passengers. Two more bathrooms are located behind the partition of row 22. They are intended for travelers traveling in economy class.
- On rows 33-35, passenger seats are equipped with everything necessary for transporting bedridden patients and disabled people. For this category of citizens there is also a separate toilet located in the rear of the aircraft, behind the seats of the 35th row.
In the Airbus A321, all seats in business class have an extended seat with a multifunctional reclining mechanism. This class of service creates a more relaxed atmosphere for a comfortable flight.
In economy class there are also seats of increased comfort. They can be determined by the diagram of the cabin of the airliner on which the air travel will be carried out.
Features of seats in the Airbus A321 cabin with 170 seats (economy):
- Rows 8, 19, as well as seats F, A on the 19th row – seats of increased comfort with increased legroom;
- seats on the 18th and 31st rows have limited seat back reclining (inconvenient rows for flying);
- from rows 12 to 18 there is no beautiful view from the windows, hidden by the wings of the airplane;
- Rows 17, 18, 30, 31 are the worst places for air travel, located close to the toilet.
The best and most uncomfortable seats on the 167-seat Airbus A321 in economy class:
- 8th row - comfortable seats with an increased space pitch and special clamps on the front partition for attaching a baby cradle;
- 11th row of seats D, C, B – comfortable seats at emergency exits with expanded legroom;
- 23rd row – seats of increased comfort;
- Rows 22 and 35 are the last rows of economy classes, behind which there are toilet rooms;
- Rows 33-35 – seats for passengers with disabilities.
Many air carriers offer their passengers the service of pre-booking the best seats in the cabin even at the stage of purchasing air tickets, as well as during check-in for the flight. At some tariffs this service is provided free of charge.
Models and modifications of Airbus 321
Airbus A321 is an extended version of the A320 passenger airliner with improved characteristics. For 2018, the company produces models of two modifications - A321-100 and A321-200.
The A321-100 was developed in 1993, received certification in the same year and made its first flight. At the end of the year, mass production of aircraft of this model began.
And 321-200 is an identical aircraft of the Airbus family with an increased flight range and take-off weight. Its development began in 1994. The company received certification to produce aircraft of this model two years later. In 1995, the first Airbus A321-200 was purchased by the German air carrier Aero Lloyd. In 1996, the company began mass production, which continues to this year.
Which airlines operate the A321?
The Airbus A321 is operated by several dozen airlines around the world, including carriers from the Russian Federation and CIS countries. As of 2018, the manufacturer completed about 1,700 orders. Another 400 models are in production.
Aeroflot
There are 38 medium-haul passenger vehicles with two types of cabin layouts for 170 and 183 passenger seats.
S7 Airlines
The carrier's fleet includes 52 Airbuses of different models. On its flights, the company uses modern passenger airliners A321 with a two-class cabin for 198 passengers and A321 NEO with a passenger capacity for 203 people.
North wind
The Russian airline Nordwind operates eight passenger Airbuses of the A321-200 model. The cabin layout is one economy class with 220 passenger seats.
Atlas global
The Turkish carrier's fleet includes 17 Airbus A321s (5 units - A321-100 and 12 - A321-200). The number of passenger seats in cabins of different layouts is 200, 206 and 216. The carrier operates aircraft of various modifications with one-class and two-class cabins.
Ural Airlines
On Russian and international routes, the well-known Russian carrier Ural Airlines operates modern passenger airliners Airbus A321. The total number of units in the company's fleet for 2018 is 15. Single-class economy aircraft have 220 passenger seats.
Red Wings
The Russian airline Red Wings has five Airbus A321s in its fleet with a single-class cabin layout. The total number of seats is 220.
Turkish Airlines
Turkey's major national carrier operates 43 Airbus A321-200 aircraft on its routes. The cabin layout is one and two service classes with 185 and 200 seats.
Etihad Airways
The well-known UAE carrier Etihad Airways operates 10 Airbus A321-200 with two cabin layouts (economy + business and full economy). In the near future, the company's fleet should be replenished with several more improved aircraft - the A321 Neo. The capacity of the salons is 185/200 seats.
Qatar Airways
The national carrier of Qatar operates 7 Airbus A321-200. In 2019, delivery of 50 Airbus A321 Neo aircraft is expected. The aircraft is equipped with comfortable cabins for two classes of service. The total number of passenger seats is 177, 12 of which are intended for business class passengers.
Air Astana
Air Astana is the only airline in Kazakhstan that operates Airbus A321 and A321Neo on its routes. The carrier's fleet includes 6 aircraft with different cabin layouts for 175 and 179 seats.
Yamal
Yamal Airlines has three Airbus A321-200 in its own fleet. The economy class cabin accommodates 220 passengers. There is no business class.
Wizz Air
The low-cost European airline Wizz Air operates 32 Airbus A321-200. In the near future, another 9 units of aircraft of this model are expected to be delivered by prior agreement with the manufacturer.
For more than 20 years, global air carriers have been using modern narrow-body airliners on their flights - Airbus A321 for low-cost passenger transportation on regular and charter flights. Aircraft with decent performance characteristics meet high international standards and are characterized by high reliability and safety for flights over distances of up to 5950 km. Reviews from travelers about aircraft of this model are positive.
The Airbus A321-100 aircraft entered service in early 1994 and are currently the largest members of the A320 family. The A321 received an elongated fuselage compared to other models in the series, and at the same time increased passenger capacity. The A320 family of aircraft is known for its spacious passenger cabin with spacious hand luggage compartments, large lower deck cargo capacity and wide luggage hatches. Their serial production is located in Hamburg-Finkenwerder (Germany) and Toulouse (France).
A little history
The initial version of the A321-100 failed to compete with the American Boeing 757-200 aircraft, as a result of which in 1994 the German company DASA, part of the Airbus Industrie consortium, came up with an initiative for an improved version of the airliner with increased take-off weight and flight range. The updated version was offered to airlines operating long-haul flights in the European region, as well as to companies operating non-stop flights connecting the east and west coasts of the United States.
A321 in the air
The A321-200, as a result of modifications to its predecessor, acquired a greater flight range and take-off weight. The development of the “hundredth” model was carried out over two years: from 1994 to 1996. This was necessary in order to compete with Boeing. Thanks to its characteristics and reliability, this aircraft still looks worthy even among its younger counterparts.
Note! The A321, thanks to its fuel economy and large cabin capacity, has the lowest estimated cost per kilometer of travel per passenger of any narrowbody aircraft, meaning that each kilometer traveled on the A321 is cheaper for any traveler than on other narrowbody aircraft.
Despite a fairly long period of time since the start of production of the A321, this model is still being refined and modernized, adjusting its characteristics to modern aircraft manufacturing requirements. The company is currently actively working to introduce advanced powertrains for the A321. The modernization course is carried out under the name New Engine Option; in the future, the aircraft are planned to be supplied with CFM International LEAP-X and Pratt & Whitney PW1000G engines. Their feature can be considered an additional 16% fuel savings, however, the actual data is usually slightly less than stated, since often when upgrading an existing model these values are slightly lower. The use of improved engines, according to preliminary calculations, should increase the maximum possible flight length by 950 km, and the maximum lifting weight by 2 tons.
Interesting to know! To increase flight range and reduce operating costs, special modifications for Sharkle wings are being installed on the A320 model range as part of the NEO program. Their prototype, winglets, were first used exclusively on Boeing aircraft, starting with the 1985 model 747-400. After careful analysis and refinement of the winglet shape, Airbus patented its design under the original name Sharklets.
Sharklets
Aircraft characteristics
For an optimal assessment and correct selection of the best seats in the aircraft cabin, it is worth finding out in advance how many rows are available on the plane and studying the appropriate layout of the vessel, which is assigned to the desired flight. However, almost any aircraft layout can be used to determine quality seats.
The physical dimensions of the Airbus A321 cabin allow you to accommodate from 170 passengers in a cabin consisting of two classes, or up to 220 people using seats of one class, which is quite enough for charter and budget flights; in addition, it is worth considering 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 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 is expanded to 220 seats. In this configuration, the entire cabin is one class.
Who operates the A321
The Airbus A321 aircraft is used by such companies as:
- Aegean Airlines;
- Air Canada;
- Air China;
- 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.
A321 schemes
The cabin layout of the Airbus A321, which is preferred by the well-known Aeroflot, is especially popular.
Scheme 1
Rows 1-7. They are seats that are classified as business class, but it is worth noting that the first and seventh rows among them provide minimal comfort. This is due to the fact that in front of the first row of seats there is a wall of technical rooms and literally next to it there is a restroom stall, and the seventh row borders on the 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 seats 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 “economy” class seats of all available on an aircraft of this model; an additional advantage 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 means a much larger range of food and drinks compared to other passengers.
Rows 9-17. Ordinary places in the budget category, without any differences.
18th row. The seats in this row are also considered standard; the only obstacles are the toilets nearby, as a result of which discomfort may arise due to the constant movements of passengers and crowds of people wanting to visit the restroom, which creates unnecessary tension and will not only distract, but also possibly irritate.
19 row. In all aspects, this row is identical in comfort to the eighth row. There is also free legroom here, but the proximity of the restrooms makes this row much less comfortable.
20 row. The places located here are worth noting as quite comfortable. The attractiveness of this row is due not only to the free legroom, but also to the opportunity to enjoy the panoramas of the earth’s surface opening outside the windows immediately after takeoff.
In row 30 (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 proximity 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 it.
Important! Tickets for this row are purchased as a last resort, in the absence of other options, since they are considered the worst seats on the plane.
Scheme 2
The following 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 at Aeroflot; in particular, it is used on the following airliners:
- 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
Airbus 321-200 aircraft are also operated by an airline such as Nordwind Airlines. It uses a modification with a single-class cabin, which can transport 220 people - such aircraft are often used on short and medium distances and on flights with average passenger traffic.
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. For travelers who often use the services of these airlines, it is advisable to consider the aircraft layout in detail and determine the seats in the Airbus A 321 where the passenger will be most comfortable during the flight.
Note! On the official website of Ural Airlines, the diagram 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, further features are considered using the example of the Airbus A321, the diagram 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 find a comfortable leg position, but it should also be noted that this is the first row, so there will be no person reclining the seat. The close proximity of the galley and toilet adds inconvenience to these places, but passenger service begins from here.
9F and 23F row. The seat backs cannot be adjusted due to the partition located behind them, which causes some discomfort - being in an upright position for the entire flight is not very convenient.
10 and 24 A, B, C. The situation is similar to the ninth row, but here this 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 rather than 3 seats, which can be considered a plus, especially for those traveling together.
Rows 11 and 25 are considered the most convenient. They are located immediately after emergency exits, which creates free space. Thanks to this, it becomes possible not only to recline the back of your chair, take a comfortable position of your legs, but also to easily leave your seat, practically without causing any discomfort to your companions.
Important! Not all categories of passengers can be accommodated in these seats: tickets will not be sold to the elderly, disabled people, or people traveling with children and animals. In addition, it is prohibited to block the passages to the emergency doors, so all luggage will have to be placed at the top - this is due to safety requirements on the plane.
Row 36, seats C and D. The location is next to the toilets, which is why small queues form near these seats. Often the end of salon washrooms are used by both the middle and aft saloons, representing quite a large number of people.
37 - last row. These places are rightfully considered the most inconvenient, which is explained by blocked seat backs, as well as the inconvenience associated with the proximity of the toilet.
Overall, 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 adhere to general recommendations: study the layout of the plane in advance, do not buy tickets in the back or near the technical rooms, and do not choose seats whose backrests do not recline. If you follow these tips, even the longest flight will be comfortable and unnoticed.
Passenger aircraft are increasingly ceasing to be a luxury and becoming a popular and affordable mode of transport. The speed, convenience and increasing safety of airliners open up broad prospects for regular air travel.
The growing flow of passengers also increases the demands on modern aircraft. The main focus is on the space, comfort and safety of the aircraft. Ideally, all these qualities should be combined with relative low cost of production and maintenance.
It was in this direction that the A320 model and its subsequent modification, the A321, were developed. Despite the long period that has passed since its development, the model still remains in demand for passenger transportation in many countries around the world.
History of the development of the Airbus A321 passenger aircraft
In 1988, the Airbus S.A.S consortium released a new model - the A320. The aircraft became the first mass-produced passenger airliner with a fly-by-wire control system. The new model continued the line of narrow-body aircraft begun by the A300.
The main emphasis of the development was on savings in assembly and variability of passenger seats. The goal was to gain superiority over the main competitor - Boeing 727 and 737. Compared to them, the new Airbus Industrie model would have an advantage in the use of digital technologies.
Despite the fact that the first aircraft was produced in 1988, the A320 program has been officially in operation since 1984. In addition to the fly-by-wire control system, there were other innovations:
- for pilots, side control handles are provided instead of control columns;
- the horizontal tail is made entirely of composites.
The Airbus A321 model was put into mass production in 1994 specifically to increase passenger capacity. The new airliner has become the largest in this line: when divided into two classes, it can accommodate 170 people, in one - 220. Also, compared to the A320, the flight range has been slightly increased.
The main production of aircraft of this line is concentrated in the European Union. Until 2008, assembly was carried out only in Toulouse, later Hamburg - Finkenwerder was connected. Production has also been established in China. Many parts and spare parts are produced in Russia at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant.
Airbus A321 aircraft remain in demand for many airlines around the world, despite being designed 25 years ago. However, it is expected that in the coming years these airliners will begin to be phased out due to outdated characteristics compared to modern aircraft.
Performance characteristics
Airbus Industrie A321 models remain in demand precisely because of their technical characteristics, which still compete with modern airliners.
In terms of size and weight, this model has the following indicators:
- length - 44.5 m;
- height - 11.8 m;
- wingspan - 34.1 m;
- wing area - 122.4 m;
- permissible take-off weight - up to 93.5 tons;
- acceptable landing weight - up to 77.8 tons;
- empty weight of the aircraft - 48.1 tons;
The Airbus A321 has two options for seating passengers - one class or two. In the first case, economy class has a maximum capacity of 220 people. When divided into economy and business class, the aircraft's capacity is 170 seats.
Flight data
Flight characteristics of the Airbus A321:
- flight range at maximum load - 5000-5500 km;
- maximum speed - 890 km/h, cruising speed - 840;
- permissible flight altitude - 11.9 km;
- take-off length - 2180 m;
- mileage - 1580 m;
- engines used - CFMI CFM56-5A/5B, 2 x 13600-15000 kgf; IAE V2500-A5, 2 x 13600-15000 kgf.
Modern assemblies of the Airbus A321 use French EFIS avionics systems. They are responsible for controlling the engines and ensuring the normal operation of on-board electronics. This improves navigation and reduces the likelihood of veering off course, which is especially important during difficult flight conditions and emergency situations.
Interior layout and seating arrangement
In the Airbus A321, the cabin layout has two seat layout options - with and without business class. The first option is used more often, despite the aircraft's smaller capacity. For example, in Aeroflot A321 aircraft, the cabin layout is often considered using its example.
Business class is located at the front of the aircraft and occupies 16-28 paired seats. The seats are more comfortable, the distance between the seats has been increased, which gives more room for the legs. Greater variety is also provided in the menu selection.
In economy class, the seats are arranged in a 3x3 pattern with two compartments. The seats are soft and comfortable, although not as comfortable. The distance between them is approximately 80 cm. However, depending on the location, there are also some nuances that you should be aware of when booking tickets.
Business Class
For business class, the first and seventh rows are considered a poor choice of seats (if there are 28 seats). In the first, the seats are located close to toilets and service areas. In addition to constant noise and movement, the lights are always on at night, making it difficult to sleep.
The last row of business class is separated from the rest of the plane by a thin partition. Therefore, all the noise from economy class will be heard, which will make your vacation incomplete.
Economy class
The most attractive seats in economy class are located in the row next to business class. Located immediately behind the partition, they provide more legroom. Seats with no seats in front have similar properties: in the first diagram these are 20A and 20F.
Seats in rows 18 and 19 are considered less attractive. The proximity to toilets does not allow for proper rest due to constant movement. The worst option in this regard is considered to be the last row, where there are also service rooms next to the toilet.
Advantages and disadvantages of the aircraft
The advantages of the Airbus A321 include:
- high flight performance, despite the design 25 years ago;
- high capacity and seating capacity among medium-haul aircraft;
- the cabin is spacious, which ensures a more comfortable flight;
- High sound insulation ensures passengers' rest during the flight.
The disadvantages of the A321 aircraft include its technical aging. Most solutions in design and digital support can no longer compete with modern airliners. In the coming years, a gradual winding down of production is expected in favor of the new Airbus A320neo series.
Aircraft safety
The Airbus A321 design contains 20% more composite materials. This solution increased the strength of the aircraft hull and, accordingly, its safety in case of adverse weather conditions.
Another aspect that increases the safety of the airliner is digital support. A computerized navigation and control system makes piloting easier in case of emergency. Similar questions are considered common to the entire A321 line.
However, during operation there were some incidents. Already in the early stages of using Airbus A321 aircraft, accidents were recorded. In 1988, there was a disaster that was attributed to pilot error. However, there is an opinion that it was caused by a computerized control system.
The first accidents significantly reduced the attractiveness of new Airbus aircraft. Since the beginning of 2000, the number of incidents has increased - from minor problems to major accidents. The worst disaster is considered to be the crash of A321 on October 31, 2015, when 224 people died.
Airbus A321 modifications
Airbus A321 airliners have two modifications - A321-100 and A321-200. The first actually marked the beginning of the production of these airliners. Its testing began back in 1993, and later mass production began. The design uses CFM56 and V2500 engines.
The modification of the A321-200 focuses on increasing the take-off weight and flight range. Development began in 1994 as a direct competitor to the Boeing 757-200. In 1996, mass production was launched. Both modifications are still in production.
Airlines flying the Airbus A321
Airbus A321 airliners are actively used by airlines around the world.
The full list is provided by the following operators:
- Aegean Airlines;
- Aer Lingus;
- Air Alanna;
- Air Arabia;
- Air Astana;
- Airbus;
- Air Canada;
- Air Canada Rouge;
- Air China;
- Air France;
- Air India;
- Air Macau;
- Air Transat;
- Airblue;
- Airphil Express;
- Alaska Airlines;
- Alitalia;
- All Nippon Airways;
- AlMasria Universal Airlines;
- American Airlines;
- Anda Air;
- Asian Airlines;
- Atlasglobal;
- Austrian Airlines;
- Avianca;
- Avianca El Salvador;
- Avianca Peru;
- Avion Express;
- Batavia Air;
- British Airways;
- CAA Compagnie Africaine D'Aviation;
- Cambodia Angkor Air;
- Cathay Dragon;
- China Eastern Airlines;
- China Southern Airlines;
- Condor Flugdienst;
- Daallo Airlines;
- Delta Air Lines;
- Egyptair;
- Eva Air;
- Finnair;
- Frontier Airlines;
- Germania;
- Gulf Air;
- Hi Fly;
- HK Express;
- Iberia;
- Iberia Express;
- Inter Airlines;
- Interjet;
- Iran Air;
- Iraqi Airways;
- JetBlue Airways;
- Jetstar Airways;
- Joon;
- Juneyao Airlines;
- Kish Air;
- LATAM Airlines;
- LATAM Brasil;
- Laudamotion;
- Level;
- Lufthansa;
- Maldivian;
- Mihin Lanka;
- Monarch Airlines;
- Nile Air;
- Onur Air;
- Philippine Airlines;
- Qatar Airways;
- R Airlines;
- Royal Jordanian Airlines;
- SAS - Scandinavian Airlines;
- Saudia;
- Skywings Asia Airlines;
- Small Planet Airlines;
- Smartlynx;
- Spirit Airlines;
- SriLankan Airlines;
- SWISS International Air Lines;
- TAP Portugal;
- Thomas Cook Airlines;
- Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia;
- Titan Airways;
- TransAsia Airways;
- TUIfly;
- Turkish Airlines;
- UNI Air;
- VietJet Air;
- Vietnam Airlines;
- Volaris;
- Vueling Airlines;
- White Airways;
- Windrose;
- Wizz Air;
- WOW air;
- YanAir;
- Yunnan Hongtu Airlines;
- Aeroflot - Russian Airlines;
- Red Wings;
- North wind;
- Siberia;
- Ural Airlines;
- Yamal.
Serial production of the A321 continues, which means new aircraft are entering service. However, with the advent of new analogues, we can expect that production will gradually cease. This does not mean that the A321 aircraft will disappear immediately as soon as production ceases. However, their gradual decommissioning can be expected over the next couple of decades.
