Norwegian, one of the largest low cost carriers in Europe, has placed an order for 30 A321LRs with Airbus. This follows a commitment signed in June 2012 for 100 A320neo aircraft. The switch from 30 A320neo aircraft to 30 A321LRs will support the carrier’s growth and modernization strategy and allows it to become the first low-cost carrier to operate the A321LR.
Norwegian (the brand name of Norwegian Air Shuttle AS) operates a network across Europe, North America and Asia, and is rapidly expanding its low cost operations. The new aircraft will feature a single class cabin layout, seating approximately 220 passengers.
"I am very excited about this new order of the Airbus A321LR,” says CEO of Norwegian, Bjorn Kjos. “The new ‘short long-haul’ aircraft available from 2019 fits really well with our global expansion plans and future long-haul network, both in terms of size, range and fuel efficiency. The Airbus A321LR is the newest narrow body long-haul aircraft on the market and with this order we will have a significant cost advantage and increased competitiveness, which means that we can offer our customers low
prices on board brand new aircraft to a wide range of new destinations,said Kjos.
“We are very happy that Norwegian has selected the A321LR, the longest range of any single aisle airliner in the world. We are pleased that Norwegian will be the first low-cost transatlantic operator with the A321LR,” said John Leahy, COO Customers. “The A321LR sets new industry standards for eco-efficiency in terms of fuel saving and passenger appeal.”
The A321LR, the latest member of the market leading A320neo Family, will be able to fly longer routes of up to 4,000 nm. The A321LR will provide additional flexibility as it will have the longest range of any single aisle airliner, making it ideally suited to transatlantic routes and enable airlines to tap into new long haul markets which were not previously accessible with current single aisle aircraft. First deliveries will start in 2019.
The A320 Family is the world’s best-selling single aisle product line with almost 12,600 orders since launch and more than 7,100 aircraft delivered to more than 320 operators worldwide. Thanks to their widest cabin, all members of the A320 Family offer unmatched comfort in all classes and Airbus’ 18” wide seats in economy as standard.
With one aircraft in four sizes, the A320 Family, seating from 100 to 240 passengers, seamlessly covers the entire single-aisle segment from low to high-density domestic to longer range routes.
http://www.airbus.com/newsevents/news-events-single/detail/norwegian-selects-30-a321lr-for-first-transatlantic-routes/