Ten Airbus A321LR aircraft will be joining the fleet of Canadian airline Air Transat, making it the first North American operator of the longest-range single-aisle aircraft in the world. Air Transat will lease the aircraft through a deal with AerCap, and plans entry into service starting in 2019.
The A321LR builds on the success of the A321neo, which has captured over 80 percent of the market share with more than 1,400 orders to date. The LR option extends the aircraft’s range to up to 4,000 nautical miles and brings with it a 30-percent reduction in operating cost compared to its nearest competitor.
“This is an ideal aircraft for the North American market, and particularly for a carrier like Air Transat,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer-Customers. “It gives operators a highly efficient and affordable modern option for their transatlantic routes, and we look forward to other North American carriers following Air Transat’s example.”
The A321LR enables airlines to access new long-haul markets that were previously inaccessible with current single-aisle aircraft. With 206 passengers in a typical two-class layout, the A321LR offers the possibility for each passenger to carry up to three bags.
The A320neo family incorporates the very latest technologies, including new-generation engines and Sharklets, which together deliver at least 15 percent fuel savings at delivery and 20 percent by 2020, as well as a 50-percent noise reduction. With more than 5,100 orders received from over 90 customers since its launch in 2010, the A320neo family has captured some 60 percent share of the market.
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Air Transat signs an agreement to lease 10 new Airbus A321neo LRs
“These brand-new A321neo LRs will allow us to continue offering our customers the service and comfort they are used to, at the best possible price,” says Transat President and CEO Jean-Marc Eustache.
Transat A.T. Inc. is pleased to announce that its Air Transat business unit has signed an agreement with AerCap for the long-term (12-year) leasing of 10 Airbus A321neo long-range aircraft. The aircraft are to be delivered between spring 2019 and fall 2020, and will replace Transat’s Airbus A310s, which will be gradually retired from the fleet.
The A321neo LRs will be deployed on both Sun destinations and transatlantic routes. Combined with the Airbus A330s and Boeing 737s, they will serve Transat’s entire network in an efficient and cost-effective way. Air Transat’s A321neo LRs will be configured for 200 seats across both classes: Club and Economy. All seats will be equipped with individual touch screens offering an extensive choice of entertainment for all.
Jean-Marc Eustache, President and Chief Executive Officer of Transat, said:
The A321neo LRs will perfectly complete our fleet of A330s and B737s. These aircraft are also an ideal solution for replacing our A310s. This agreement with AerCap will allow us to continue offering our customers the service and comfort they are used to, at the best possible price. We are very pleased to strengthen our partnership with the world’s leading aircraft lessor, with which we have enjoyed a fruitful and long-standing association.
Aengus Kelly, Chief Executive Officer, AerCap, stated:
We are very proud of our long-standing partnership with Air Transat and are thrilled to play a significant role in the future growth of the airline. The A321neo LR will significantly improve Air Transat’s fleet with the most efficient, longest-range single-aisle aircraft that offers an exceptional level of passenger comfort.
Air Transat will be among the first carriers to operate the new long-range (LR) variant of the Airbus A321neo (new engine option). The A321neo LR has the longest range of any single-aisle jetliner, capable of flying up to 4,000 nautical miles (7,400 km). It is ideally suited for Transat’s combination of routes. Specifically, its size gives major flexibility in terms of flight commercialization and frequency while its fuel efficiency will keep cost per seat as low as possible, while reducing its carbon footprint.
Air Transat’s fleet currently consists of 31 permanent aircraft in a unique flexible-fleet model that allows it to deploy more wide-body aircraft in summer for the high transatlantic season, and narrow-body aircraft in winter for the high Sun destinations season.
