Long Ranger

Airbus gives the A321neo a push

Airbus seems to think it has the replacement for the Boeing 757-200’s international missions with the snappily-monikered A321neoLR. The longrange -LR version is a high gross weight addition for the stretched A320 family narrowbody, and provides range that exceeds the Boeing 757-200. Airbus is offering the aircraft for an entry into service date of early 2019.

“A third new Additional Centre Tank (ACT) is located in the back of the front cargo hold,” Airbus head of global news Justin Dubon explained to Australian Aviation. “The option of two ACTs in the front of the back cargo hold is already available. ” The A321neoLR’s range is extended to 3,900nm (7,225km), an increase of nearly 500km over the standard A321neo’s expected 3,650nm (6,760km). That’s also 100nm (185km) more than a Rolls- Royce RB211-535-E4-equipped 757-200 with winglets, which have westbound seasonal range issues owing to North Atlantic headwinds that can require a refuelling stop on routes at range limits, compounded by US air traffic control arrival inefficiencies.