The Long Rang version of the Airbus A321neo may be used on long-haul flights.
Both the European EASA and the American FAA have issued a type certificate for
the airplane, including ETOPS authorization. This allows long flights above
the sea.
 
The A321LR is an A321 equipped with three additional central fuel tanks, or
Additional Center Tanks (ACTs). With 206 passengers on board, the twin-engine
aircraft can bridge a distance of 7,408 kilometers directly.
 
The ETOPS authorization makes it possible to fly for up to three hours on one
engine, so that the aircraft can be used on all transatlantic routes according
to Airbus. That means a new milestone in the history of the A321, the original
version of which flew for the first time 25 years ago.
 
The so-called Airbus Cabin Flex (ACF) option is also certified. This concerns
an adaptation to the hull structure, whereby the entrance doors and emergency
exits can be arranged according to the customer's wishes. Linked to this is an
increase in the maximum take-off weight to 97 tonnes.
 
Airbus emphasizes that the extra high take-off weight is only possible with
A321neos with the ACF option, as well as the possibility to install three
ACTs. Up to now, there was room for a maximum of two ACTs in the A321. The ACF
configuration will be standard on all A321neos from 2020. The extra high MTOW
and the installation of up to three additional central fuel tanks remain
optional.
 
The A321LR has been ordered to date by Norwegian, Aer Lingus, Peach, Jetstar
and Air Transat, while AirAsia X is considering the purchase of the aircraft.
Primera Air, which filed for bankruptcy on Tuesday, also planned to add
A321LRs to the fleet via leasing companies.
 
**********
 
ETOPS: Extented Twin engine Operations allowing aircraft to fly up to 180
minutes away from the nearest airport. While crossing the northern Atlantic
due to the curvature of the tracks, one is never 180 minutes away from an
airport therefore a whole new range of narrow body airplanes can now make the
trip. It's the next revolution in air travel, after the 747 made long haul
flying possible for common people, now point-to-point flights between
secondary airports become possible
 
7.408km ... to give you an idea ...
          Brussels-Calgary
          Amsterdam-Anchorage
          London-Vancouver
          Paris-Mumbai
 
... not that any of these are secondary, but for example Rotterdam to
Hartford, CT is possible 

--- D'Bridge 3.99 SR33
 * Origin: AVIATION ECHO HQ (2:292/854)