Airbus has announced that Jet2, a airline based in Leeds, United Kingdom, has placed an initial order for 36 A321neos, making the airline a new Airbus customer and a new Airbus A320neo Family operator.
A new Airbus customer
Until now, Jet2 has only operated Boeing aircraft if we do not consider the leased Airbus airplanes. According to data from ch-aviation.com, Jet2 presently has a single active 220-seat A321ceo, with a further two reportedly set to join the airline.
Other than that, the low-cost operator presently operates 90 Boeing aircraft. Of these, 75 are the Boeing B737-800 while 8 of them are the older Boeing B757. The airline also operates 8 Boeing B737-300 airplanes.
However, now, it seems that Jet2 is shifting from its Boeing dominated fleet to a more diversified fleet. The airline has ordered 36 Airbus A321neos, which is the largest model from the European manufacturer’s next-generation A320neo series. Recently, Delta also increased its existing order of 125 Airbus A321neos by 30 to a total of 155 airplanes of the particular type.
As aforementioned, this is the first time that Jet2 has ever ordered planes from Airbus. The decision comes as the carrier looks to both expand and renew its fleet.
Philip Meeson, Executive Chairman, Jet2, said:
Jet2.com will be proud to operate the Airbus A321neo in the years ahead. This aircraft is, in our opinion, the most efficient and environmentally friendly aircraft in its class today – it will give our holiday customers a wonderfully comfortable and enjoyable experience as they travel with us for their well deserved Jet2holiday.
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The interior
Along with the A321neo’s efficiency, another advantage that the type will offer to Jet2 is its increased capacity. Indeed, Jet2’s A321neos will feature a whopping 232 seats.
Passengers will enjoy aspects such as innovative lighting as part of Airbus’s ‘Airspace’ cabin environment. Furthermore, they will also have larger overhead bins at their disposal, which offer 60% more space.
Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus, said:
We very much welcome Jet2.com’s decision. Traditionally having been operating non fly-by-wire aircraft, we note with great satisfaction that after having tested a couple of leased A321s and run a comprehensive evaluation, Jet2.com is forward looking and investing in modern and future proof Airbus fly-by-wire technology. This is a testimony to Jet2.com’s vision of efficiency, quality, performance and environmentally friendly flying.
The A320neo Family incorporates the latest technologies, including new generation engines and Sharklets, delivering a 20% reduction in fuel consumption per seat. With an additional range of up to 500 nautical miles/900 km or two tonnes of extra payload, the A321neo will deliver Jet2 with additional revenue potential too.
Featured image by Airbus
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