The A321 seems increasingly successful as a 757, A300/310 and 767-200 replacement.
Technically it seems to have run out of wing/ payload-range to cover the markets segments now dominated by the 757s, 767s, A300s, A310 and Tu154 ; 200-300 seat short/medium haul.
A large market IMO, including high density city pairs, leisure operations, US transcons, Intra Asia, EMEA etc. and Transatlantic flights. Easily 2000 aircraft in the next 2 decades.
The 787-8/ A330-200s cost/ weigh twice as much. A good alternative only if cost can be neglected..
Question is should Airbus bite the bullet and ask Filton to propose a set of efficient new larger wings/engines for the A320 series to boast capacity & payload-range?
