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A321 is wider, more overhead room, all around more comfy. Throw in the NEO and Winglets and that changes the whole equation. Here's a quote for you: "The Airbus A321 has similar cabin capacity as the Boeing 757, but has lacked trans-Atlantic range.* With the pending re-engining of the A320 family with the Pratt & Whitney (div. United Technologies) GTF and CFM International (joint venture, GE Aircraft Engines and SNECMA) Leap-X engines, better fuel efficiency is changing the performance equation for the aircraft. * The A321 may be the aircraft that benefits most from re-engining, as it fundamentally changes the potential mission profile from transcontinental to transatlantic in range."
Originally Posted by Clear Right
Range| Airbus, a leading aircraft manufacturerA321 is wider, more overhead room, all around more comfy. Throw in the NEO and Winglets and that changes the whole equation. Here's a quote for you: "The Airbus A321 has similar cabin capacity as the Boeing 757, but has lacked trans-Atlantic range.* With the pending re-engining of the A320 family with the Pratt & Whitney (div. United Technologies) GTF and CFM International (joint venture, GE Aircraft Engines and SNECMA) Leap-X engines, better fuel efficiency is changing the performance equation for the aircraft. * The A321 may be the aircraft that benefits most from re-engining, as it fundamentally changes the potential mission profile from transcontinental to transatlantic in range."
I think you missed the little part about when the NEO is available. Boeing is also coming out with a reengined 737 again however not available when Delta needs jets. Not to mention that at the moment both of these are paper jets. It was thought the NEO would be a easy change for the A320. It has turned out not to be so and Airbus is short on engineers. They now admit it needs among other things. New landing gear, New main wingbox. Stronger wing box attach points, New pylons. It will be interesting to see if they even have the A320 version out on time let alone the A321 Delta would want coming out later. These jets are for delivery in 2013 to 2017. You can't buy what does not exist.
The other thing people keep forgetting it that this is a replacement aircraft for some 757 at Delta. We will keep plenty of 757's in the fleet to cover those routes that require the extra performance until the 900NE and A321NEO are truly available. Probably be around 2019 on those aircraft given the normal delays both Boeing and Airbus seem to have.