European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has began production of the primary A321neo for Chicago-based United Airlines. The work comes nearly two years after the airline placed an order for 70 of the brand new narrowbody jet.
Photos of the aircraft show the winglets and tail already painted in United’s Evo-Blue livery, but delivery continues to be months away. Airbus originally intended to start aircraft deliveries this yr but has since pushed back the timeline to 2024.
All eyes on the neo
Brett Albright, Service Recovery Manager at United, shared the photos of the aircraft in Hamburg, German, in a Twitter post on Friday.
United placed the order for the A321neo on June 29, 2021, on top of its previous order for 50 A321XLR aircraft. With aging 757s in its fleet, the carrier will desperately need latest aircraft to start phasing out iconic Boeing jet, however the airline will just need to wait a bit longer.
Delivery setbacks
In April, Airbus advised United to expect delays in deliveries this yr and next, in accordance with ch-aviation. The carrier indicated that 18 Airbus planes and over 100 aircraft from Boeing were delayed. In response to Airbus, eight A321neos that were alleged to be delivered this yr will now are available 2024. Ten more due next yr have now been pushed back to 2025. United ordered the A321XLR in 2019, with deliveries set for 2024. It’s unclear whether Airbus continues to be on course to deliver the XLR variant as expected.
Christian Scherer, Airbus’ Chief Industrial Officer and Head of International, previously said A321neo is unlike every other aircraft.
said Scherer.
Replacing the beloved 757
United currently has 33 lively Boeing 757-200s and 21 lively 757-300s, each with a median age of above 20 years, in accordance with ch-aviation. The airline has flown the aircraft on transcontinental, international, and short domestic flights for a few years.
Photo: Dino Ramic I Shutterstock.
Because of its versatility, carriers resembling United and Delta Air Lines have chosen to maintain flying the 757 despite newer aircraft entering the scene. Reversely, American Airlines decided to retire all of its 757s in the course of the pandemic in favor of its newer A321neo deliveries.
In response to Airbus, United’s A321neos will feature the manufacturer’s Airspace cabin design, bringing passenger-pleasing amenities. The cabin’s ceiling may have hero lighting, an revolutionary lighting system that reportedly helps reduce jet lag. Other enhancements include more room as a consequence of slimmer sidewall panels, redesigned bezels to supply higher views through windows, and hygienic touchless features within the lavatories.
Although United’s first A321 is being produced in Hamburg, Airbus said a “significant number” of the brand new aircraft shall be manufactured within the US at its facility in Mobile, Alabama.
Source: ch-aviation