European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has started production of the first A321neo for Chicago-based United Airlines. The work comes nearly two years after the airline placed an order for 70 of the new narrowbody jet.
Photos of the aircraft show the winglets and tail already painted in United’s Evo-Blue livery, but delivery is still months away. Airbus originally intended to begin aircraft deliveries this year 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 new aircraft to begin phasing out iconic Boeing jet, but the airline will just have to wait a bit longer.
Delivery setbacks
In April, Airbus advised United to expect delays in deliveries this year and next, according to ch-aviation. The carrier indicated that 18 Airbus planes and over 100 aircraft from Boeing were delayed. According to Airbus, eight A321neos that were supposed to be delivered this year will now come in 2024. Ten more due next year have now been pushed back to 2025. United ordered the A321XLR in 2019, with deliveries set for 2024. It is unclear whether Airbus is still on track to deliver the XLR variant as expected.
Christian Scherer, Airbus’ Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International, previously said A321neo is unlike any other aircraft.
“Such a significant order from a great airline like United underscores that the A321neo offers unmatched capabilities, operating economics, and passenger friendliness,” said Scherer. “No other aircraft can do what the A321neo can do, and the Airbus team is most gratified by United’s strong affirmation of its premium status. The A321neo will complement United’s future A321XLR aircraft, together creating a privileged segment on its own.”
Replacing the beloved 757
United currently has 33 active Boeing 757-200s and 21 active 757-300s, both with an average age of above 20 years, according to ch-aviation. The airline has flown the aircraft on transcontinental, international, and short domestic flights for many years.
Photo:Â Dino Ramic IÂ Shutterstock.
Thanks to its versatility, carriers such as United and Delta Air Lines have chosen to keep flying the 757 despite newer aircraft entering the scene. Reversely, American Airlines decided to retire all of its 757s during the pandemic in favor of its newer A321neo deliveries.
According to Airbus, United’s A321neos will feature the manufacturer’s Airspace cabin design, bringing passenger-pleasing amenities. The cabin’s ceiling will have hero lighting, an innovative lighting system that reportedly helps reduce jet lag. Other enhancements include more space due to slimmer sidewall panels, redesigned bezels to offer better views through windows, and hygienic touchless features in the lavatories.
Although United’s first A321 is being produced in Hamburg, Airbus said a “significant number” of the new aircraft will be manufactured in the US at its facility in Mobile, Alabama.
Source: ch-aviation
