A321 NEO LR Range Performance

[A380MSN0001]

Hi everyone,

We see more and more articles about the A321 NEO LR and the potential new transatlantic routes.

Recently we had the 4109 NM flight of the A321 NEO LR prototype from SEZ to TLS (4750 NM Air Distance). Airbus said it was with 160 dummies passengers + 11 flights crew and technicians.

Primera Air is the first airline operating the A321 NEO LR, they have a cabin configuration as below :
16J
182Y
Which is more or less 20 Tonnes payload.

What in real world operations should be the max route range for the A321 NEO LR with a 20 Tonnes payload (and indeed 3 ACTs)?
3600NM?
3800 NM?
4000 NM?
More?

Thanks for your feedback.

[oceancrosser]

The A321LR will not carry 200 pax (20t) and fuel for 3 ACT´s. You will have to reduce either the fuel or the payload. A lot depends on the actual OEW of the operator. Is it bare bones? With limited catering? or is it J and Y? I am not sure Primera Air will carry regular J (lie flat) seats. Perhaps similar to US domestic first class. There is not enough real estate for 16 lie-flats and 182Y. So your hypothetical config will probably be either payload limited or fuel limited. If you choose the 20t payload, the range will probably be right around 3000nm (+resereves).
The optimum configuration will probably be 2 ACT´s, and around 180 pax. It will take a premium heavy and high yielding (not LCC) route to optimise for 3 ACT´s and around 160 seats to reach maximum range.

[A380MSN0001]

I've just checked the Primera website. They promote the following :
16 Premium
182 Economy

No lieflat so far.

So with 3 ACTs => 3600 NM + reserves at 160 pax seems the max range?

[rouelan]

Primera Air is the first airline operating the A321 NEO LR, they have a cabin configuration as below :
16J
182Y
Which is more or less 20 Tonnes payload.



To be more precise, Primera does not operate the LR right now as the type wont be delivered before the end of the year.
Howvere, it seems (read in another thread) that operations STN-EWR go smooth without diversions on the NEO (non LR).

[Evanelpus]

I've just checked the Primera website. They promote the following :
16 Premium
182 Economy

Primera are promoting lots at the moment, don't believe what they say until the aircraft is on the gate!

[tubby linton]

A sharklet 321ceo with 200 pax will fly seven hours thirty minutes block with two ACT according to my logbook. The Neo version will obviously be more economical

[A380MSN0001]

A sharklet 321ceo with 200 pax will fly seven hours thirty minutes block with two ACT according to my logbook. The Neo version will obviously be more economical

thanks.

Can you let us know, what was the route flown on this 7h30 block?

[Cak]

WOW air had a flight with 321neo this winter from Reykjavik to San Francisco, 2ACTs, flight time 8:40

[CaptainProp]

From what I understand you'll get 4000nm "commercial range" out of the 321LR with 240 pax. At 97T MTOW I think the issue will be luggage space rather than weight with the ACTs installed.

CP

[A380MSN0001]

WOW air had a flight with 321neo this winter from Reykjavik to San Francisco, 2ACTs, flight time 8:40
nice. Do we have an idea of the payload of that long flight?

[ni si ni no]

A sharklet 321ceo with 200 pax will fly seven hours thirty minutes block with two ACT according to my logbook. The Neo version will obviously be more economical



I've done a 7h flight on a plain normal 321(2 ACT obviously) without too many problems. ALTN at around 30mins away

[CaptainProp]

The LR has 3 ACTs and MTOW of 97T.

CP

[CaptainProp]

Just saw the notes at the bottom.

CP

[Global Aviator]

Certainly interesting numbers.

The 737 Max is currently doing all the long range single isle flying in Asia. Silk Air doing flights around 7 hours. Obviously not with the 321 pax numbers.

So the A321NEO will be in a class of its own?

[CaptainProp]

Airbus allegedly looking at an XLR version of the 321neo with even longer legs on than the LR. Not much info available yet though and nothing official from airbus.

CP

[Kakaru]

Well done to Airbus. They are squeezing every single drop out of the existing frame. I wonder if there will be another MTOM boost - to 100t or perhaps even more? Another question is the current wing. What kind of aerodynamic changes are they going to implement (if any)? Wing loading of the A321 is already pretty high.

[CaptainProp]

I thought I read somewhere that it would be with an enhanced wing design but can’t find the article now.

CP

[BluSdUp]

Interesting stuff.
What kind of V1 Vr and V2 are we talking , and runway requirement ?
What are the Vref for max landing weight and runway requirement ?

[Capn Bloggs]

Pardon my ignorance, what is an "ACT"?

[krismiler]

Additional Center Tank, normally one is fitted in the middle on the A320. Other models can have tanks forward and aft of this.

[Capn Bloggs]

Thanks Krismiler.

[CaptainProp]

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Csv9rW-Z2sg/WvdfUI-ASzI/AAAAAAAAD6M/ybtNwz0-efc3xfLhXwfPVyUWRaNhI9ScQCLcBGAs/s1600/ACJ321LR%2BACT%2Bfuel%2Btank%2Bauxillairy.jpg

[Capn Bloggs]

Thanks CP. Is the fly part of the deal (auxiliary thrust)? No wonder they go so far. :)

[CaptainProp]

:} Only saw that now actually!

CP

[DaveReidUK]

Thanks CP. Is the fly part of the deal (auxiliary thrust)? No wonder they go so far. :)

The fly logo is a helpful reminder that we're looking at an amateur Photoshopped image that bears no resemblance to reality. :O

As alluded to above, an A321LR with three ACTs would only work in airline service if half the passengers were happy to leave their bags behind.

[CaptainProp]

Sure, it’s not from a manual but I used it as an indication of what it looks like with ACTs installed.

Dave - The LR already has 3 ACTs, the XLR will need additional fuel / ACTs to extend range towards and possibly beyond 5000 nm.

CP