TAP Air Portugal cuts the ribbon for its first A321LR

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Written by Linda Hohnholz

Lisbon-based TAP Air Portugal has taken delivery of its first of twelve A321LRs on order, becoming the first airline to operate a combined A330neo and A321LR fleet. The A321LR is the worldโ€™s most flexible and capable large single aisle aircraft. Powered by CFM engines, TAPโ€™s A321LR is configured with 171 seats (16 full flat Business, 48 Eco Premium and 107 Economy seats).

The combination of the A321LR and the A330neo within a single fleet provides operators a powerful lever to cover the needs of the medium to long haul market. With both newest generation single aisle (20% fuel burn reduction) and widebody aircraft (25% fuel burn reduction) airlines benefit from an unrivalled commonality for operations whilst passengers experience a higher and harmonized comfort standards.

โ€œThe A321LR is critical for TAPโ€™s expansion plans. With its superior range we can comfortably explore markets in North America, South America and Africa from Portugal, and itโ€™ll fit in seamlessly with our A330neos,โ€ said Antonoaldo Neves, CEO, TAP Air Portugal. โ€œIn North America it allows us to explore markets on the East Coast, such as New York, Boston, Montreal or Washington. In Brazil the A321LR can open new markets in the Northeast and complement existing services to cities like Recife, Natal, Fortaleza or Salvador,โ€ he added. โ€œThe aircraft are equipped with the latest generation full flat business class and high comfort economy seats, a full suite of IFE and connectivity as well as free messaging servicesโ€.

TAPโ€™s A321LR will be operated on the Lisbon-Tel Aviv route at its entry into service.

โ€œWe applaud TAP Air Portugal for becoming the first airline to leverage the benefits of the A321LR and the A330neo in a common fleet. The A321LR and A330neo working in tandem have the middle market segment nicely covered. The โ€œAirbus NEO Midsizeย  Aircraftโ€ – let’s call them the “A-NMA’s”, are a winning, seamless combination – unprecedented capacity and transatlantic range with single aisle cost with the A321LR, and unbeatable unit costs and flexibility for true long haul with the A330neo. Both with the most contemporary technology and cabin comfort in their class,โ€ said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer.

TAP currently operates an Airbus fleet of 75 aircraft comprising five A330neo, 13 A330ceo,4 A340s, and 45 A320 Family aircraft. The single-aisle fleet includes 21 A319ceo, 20 A320ceo, four A321ceo, two A320neo and six A321neo.

The A321LR is a member of the A320neo Family, with over 6,500 orders by more than 100 customers. It delivers 30 percent fuel savings and nearly 50 percent reduction in noise footprint compared to previous generation competitor aircraft. With a range of up to 4,000nm (7,400km) the A321LR is the unrivalled long range route opener, featuring true transatlantic capability and premium wide-body comfort in a single aisle aircraft cabin.

The A330neo is a true new generation aircraft building on the A330โ€™s success and leveraging on A350 XWB technology. It incorporates the highly efficient new generation engines, new wings and new sharklets derived from A350 technology.

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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