Airbus A320 Aeroflot - cabin layout and the best places. The best seats and layout of the Airbus A320 S7 Airlines cabin

Russian airline Aeroflot is one of the most reliable and operates 169 aircraft various models. The average age of the fleet is 4.3 years. This is an indicator that Aeroflot, among other things, has fairly new aircraft. Of these, the majority, namely 63 aircraft, are airbus and 320. This aircraft is always popular with airlines because of its convenience for passengers and reliability. According to Aeroflot's Airbus A320 scheme, you can choose the best seats long before buying air tickets.

The layout of the seats from the official website of Aeroflot.

Features of the location of places

Airbus manufacturers offer several configurations of the A320 aircraft. However, Aeroflot Airlines uses in its aircraft fleet 2 of them:

  • 20/120
  • 8/150


Both types of aircraft are two-class. They differ slightly from each other, so you can consider the first configuration option 20 by 120.

Business Class

There are only 5 rows, each of them has 2 chairs, which are located on both sides of the aisle. On the cabin diagram of the Airbus a320 aircraft of Aeroflot, you can see that just before the start of the business class there are partitions. They have special mounts for baby cradles, so this ideal places for those traveling with a child. In addition, there is a toilet nearby, which is also convenient. However, it is worth considering that in the 1st row, the chairs do not have a footrest, which can cause some inconvenience.

In the business class, very comfortable and wide seats, the backs of which recline so much that you can relax and take a nap during the flight. Behind the last row is a thin wall that will separate you from the economy class. It's not entirely effective against noise, so it might be a concern for you.

Economy class

6th row. On the Airbus A320 cabin map, some of the best places are located here. There is enough space between the chairs and the wall in front of you to comfortably position your legs and put your bag. Special fasteners are attached to the partition, on which baby cradles are hung. That's why Great chance the fact that even if you yourself fly without a child, then your neighbors may be passengers with babies.

On the other hand, it is from these places that food and drinks begin to be served, so you will get a choice from the full range. But the passengers in the tail will have to be content with what remains.

8th row. These places are located in front of emergency exits, for this reason the seatbacks here will either not recline at all, or this possibility is very limited.

9th row. The backs of these chairs also do not recline, as there is another pair of emergency exits behind them. However, there is enough space in front of the row to place your feet comfortably during the flight. Plus, you won't need to disturb your neighbors if you feel like getting up from your seat. The only caveat is that the seats near the windows can be slightly beveled.

10th row. The seats here are also near escape hatches, but there is plenty of legroom in front of them, and the backs recline, which makes them the most comfortable. But the chairs near the windows are slightly crooked.

Seats near escape hatches have a number of restrictions:

  • Do not place bags on the floor in front of you or under chairs.
  • These seats do not sell tickets to passengers with animals or children, disabled people, teenagers under 16, and pregnant women.

24th row. The most uncomfortable are those places that are near the aisle, as other passengers will go to the toilet past them, and flight attendants may touch you with a cart.

25th row. According to the scheme of the salon Airbus aircraft industrie a320 jet of Aeroflot, these places are the most uncomfortable. They are located near the toilets. This may be fraught with the fact that the entire flight will interfere with other passengers. They can knock on the door, hurt you. And also extraneous and unpleasant odors and sounds will be heard from the bathroom. In addition, the seatbacks here do not have the ability to fully recline.

In the 8x150 model A320, the emergency exits are in front of the 12m and 13m rows.

When choosing tickets on short and medium haul airlines, you will surely see that the carrier uses the Airbus A320 . These narrow-body airliners are in the parks of Aeroflot, Ural Airlines and foreign companies. But for maximum convenience, you need to choose the right seats. Understand the intricacies to make your trip enjoyable!

Development of the Airbus A320 aircraft

When Airbus began developing the A300 in the late 1960s and early 1970s, it launched a new family of aircraft. It was supposed to compete with Boeing and Douglas. Engineers set the task of keeping the dimensions, but improving the ergonomics and varying the passenger capacity.

The projects that later formed the basis of the design were presented back in 1977. In February 1981, development continued. Airbus collaborated with Delta Air Lines: the carrier wanted an aircraft for 150 passenger seats. According to the plans, for a distance of 3,440 km, the aircraft had to consume only the fuel in the wing tanks. And since liners with a large capacity were in demand, models with 154 and 172 seats were initially taken into development. The plans were later abandoned and an aircraft capable of carrying 162 passengers was produced. The current models A320-100 and A320-200 (they can accommodate up to 180 passengers) retained the difference in tank capacity, takeoff weight and wingtips, but for travelers there are not much differences.

The final certification took place in 1988, and since then the A318, A319 and A321 models have been released based on the original version.

Design features of the Airbus A320: what to consider

The aircraft is a low-wing aircraft - in such models, the wing passes through the lower part of the fuselage. For an aircraft manufactured in the 80s, it was equipped with technical innovations:

  • In the cockpit, instead of mechanical pointer instruments, cathode-beam screens were installed. They were later replaced by LCD variants.
  • Pilots use sidesticks instead of standard controls. Their actions are processed by computers. Then they transmit commands to the hydraulic actuators, which carry out the necessary movements. The technology is called Fly by wire. Thanks to this feature, the number of pilots decreased to 2.
  • Passengers will appreciate comfortable lounge equipped with shelves for overall hand luggage. The features of the liners include the width of the hatches through which luggage is loaded.
  • The aircraft is equipped with V250 engines, so during takeoff the noise level does not exceed 82 dB. Silence during operation and power are the hallmarks of such engines.

In the 2000s designers have introduced improvements:

  • interior trim panels were replaced;
  • the volume of shelves where luggage can be placed was increased by 11%;
  • there was an information panel with a touch screen;
  • additional lighting was installed above the places where passengers sit.

The manufacturer also upgraded computers and improved the efficiency of data processing.

The percentage of composite materials used in construction has also been increased. It is more than 20%, while plastic reinforced with fiberglass or carbon fiber is used. As a result, takeoff weight and fuel consumption are reduced, which affects the price of tickets.

Specifications Airbus A320

Airbus 320 - flight throughout Europe

Initially, the assembly of aircraft was carried out in France. But the demand for the A320 was growing, so additional production had to be opened in Germany and China. Airbus intends to increase the number of manufactured aircraft to 42 per month. After all, liners are one of the most comfortable in civil aviation. They are used on flights in Europe, Asia, throughout the United States, as well as for transcontinental flights.

Airbus A320 cockpit

For those wishing to fly on the Airbus A320, interior photos will give an idea of ​​​​its appearance. But the cabin is no less interesting, although you will not see it during the flight.

All components are arranged ergonomically, so the layout has become the standard for Airbus liners. If we compare appearance and the placement of instruments with the solutions of a competitor, Boeing, then the main difference will be orderliness.

In the photo you see the following:

  • in the upper part there is a dashboard visor;
  • on the left and right are the dashboards that the captain and co-pilot work with;
  • in the middle part - the central panel, below it - the central console.

Instead of a helm, the captain and co-pilot of the Airbus A320 use sidesticks. At the same time, a crew member, before taking control, warns: “I have controls”, and presses the orange button. After that, only his sidestick works.

What does the joystick look like on an Airbus A320

Pilots' seats are ergonomic, they are regulated not only on the principle of "closer - further". Pilots set the position of the backrest and its height in order to sit with maximum comfort. The design of the chairs is thought out to the details: you will not see sharp protruding corners. Also in the cockpit there is a retractable table, oxygen masks for pilots, a fire extinguisher and even a glove compartment for documents.

Have you thought about whether it is convenient for the pilot to control the aircraft with his left hand? Aviation masters assure that it's all a matter of habit.

Video: Airbus A320 - flight from the cockpit

Seat arrangement, seat numbering and cabin layout of the Airbus A320

Several variations are used in the interior schemes, but each is comfortable for passengers. Perhaps 4-, 5- and 6-seater accommodation, and it is determined by the selected class. You will see 4-seater rows in business class, and 6-seater rows in economy.

Numbering starts at the head of the aircraft, with business class seats in front. According to passenger reviews, the distance between the seats is enough to put luggage and sit comfortably.

Enough legroom in Airbus A320 business class

Airbus A320: the best seats and features of their choice

With all the comfort Airbus cabin A320 different places there are pros and cons. For example, if you choose a location by the porthole, you can enjoy the views. But going to the toilet without disturbing the neighbors will not succeed. But you will not be disturbed by scurrying flight attendants.

If you choose a seat near the aisle, then going to the toilet will not cause difficulties. But you have to let the neighbors through when they want to go out. You will not be able to look at the landscape through the window (if you are afraid of flights, this will be a plus).

In which row to choose seats

Travel comfort is also determined by the row in which you have chosen a seat:

Airbus A320 scheme

  • Passengers sitting in the 1st row get food and drinks faster. You don't have to worry that the passenger sitting in front will lean back and leave you no room. You will also be one of the first to leave the plane. But it was not without drawbacks: not everyone likes to look at the wall in front of them during the flight. And the tables, usually attached to the back of the front seat, are located here in the armrests. Because of this, they do not move, and the width of the place decreases. But the main disadvantage is that passengers with children fly here.
  • The 12th and 13th rows of the Airbus A320 are located next to the emergency exits. As a result, passengers will more space for legs. True, the seat backs of the 12th row recline less than the standard ones, or are completely fixed.

The worst options include places in the tail: the proximity of the toilet and the kitchen will not bring pleasure. The backs most likely do not recline like the chairs that are located right in front of the emergency exits.

The information is given for the 180-passenger model and the one-class cabin.

Keep in mind that A320 aircraft may have different cabin layouts, so make allowance for the specifics of the carrier company. If you fly with Aeroflot, the situation is a little different! Pay attention to the nuances so as not to miscalculate.

The best places in Aeroflot

When flying on an Aeroflot liner, the best seats are in business class. Compared to the arrangement in the A330, the distance between the seats in the A320 is less, but you will be comfortable. The layout of the interior will help determine the location in the A320.

Airbus A320 scheme in Aeroflot

If the cost of business class does not suit you, pay attention to the following nuances:

  • Seats in the 6th row are good, but they are behind the partition.
  • The 8th row turns out to be worse than standard seats, because due to the proximity of emergency exits, the backs do not recline.
  • The 9th row has both pluses and minuses. It will not be possible to recline the back, but there is enough space for the legs. Seats A and F are not for everyone because they are close to the emergency exits.
  • 10A and 10F on the Airbus A320 will not cause complaints about the lack of space or a fixed back. But they are located next to the emergency exit, so they do not have 1 armrest. The remaining places in the 10th row belong to the category superior comfort. But there are restrictions: you can not put hand luggage under your feet and clutter up the aisles. These seats do not sell tickets to passengers with animals or children, as well as people with handicapped. After all, the proximity of the emergency exit means that you will not prevent others from leaving the aircraft cabin.
  • 24C and 24D also do not please with comfort. They are located at the end of the cabin, near the aisle, so people going to the toilet will scurry past.

Before buying tickets, check the layout of the aircraft cabin. After all, Aeroflot uses 2 variants of the Airbus A320: the differences are in the number of business class seats.

On Ural Airlines

The airline allocates 1-3 rows for business class, where it is always convenient. Seats from the 4th row are among the standard economy class; only the 9th is different, where, due to the proximity of emergency exits, it is impossible to recline the backs. Specify the nuance when buying a ticket!

Airbus A320 cabin map: Ural Airlines

In the 10th row, the movement of the backs is also limited, but there is enough legroom. A the best option will become the 11th row, although there is no armrest on A and F.

On S7 flights

S7 Airlines uses 18 aircraft of this model. There are 2 classes in the cabin: business for 8 seats and economy for 150. If you choose the latter option, then catering will start from the 3rd row. This means that passengers sitting at the tail of the aircraft may not have enough of the desired hot.

Airbus A320 cabin layout on S7 flights

In the business class, they offer separate meals, often individual. It consists of 2 rows, the 3rd is already an economy one, located at the partition. Best Places- in the 11th, although there are restrictions: passages to emergency doors you can not clutter up with luggage.

To Red Wings and Yamal

Red Wings uses the A321 models - the embodiment of new developments in the A320 family:

  • There are 7 rows for business class.
  • The 8th will please with the presence of space that allows you to stretch your legs. There are no problems with the choice of hot.
  • If you are lucky enough to buy tickets for seats in the 20th, there will be no complaints about convenience.

Liners of the A320 type are also in the fleet of the Yamal carrier: 2 rows are occupied by business class, and the best places of the budget type are in the 11th row.

The worst seats on an Airbus A320

The worst places are traditionally referred to as side in the penultimate row and all in the last. Location plays a role, but it also affects the fact that after landing you can still 10 minutes. don't leave your seat. It will be possible to get off the plane only after letting all the passengers through.

But if you prefer to do without neighbors, then keep in mind that the seats in the tail of the plane are booked last.

Other nuances: details of the economy class cabin

Choosing seats on the Airbus A320 should be based on preferences and flight conditions. For example, the location near the toilet is considered uncomfortable. But you do not have to stand in line if you need to visit the bathroom.

Those who are not afraid of flights and want to collect likes for a photo on Instagram choose seats by the windows. But you will only enjoy the views on a day flight, provided sunny weather. If you travel at night, there will be less pluses. In addition, in most salons you will not see the panorama from the seats of 15-20 rows: the wing will block it. You just don't have to let your neighbors through when they want to visit the restroom. But it will not be possible to go out without disturbing others.

Foreign airlines also offer economy plus tickets, where there is more legroom and access to power outlets.

Passengers who have chosen seats C and D will get up to use the toilet without having to ask their neighbors to let them through. The option is suitable for parents flying with children. The downside is that you have to let other travelers through.

If you are traveling with small children, please ask for seats immediately after business class. In Aeroflot, they are usually reserved for those who fly with a child. With online check-in, the option is not available, so arrive at the airport early: unlocking is done almost immediately before the flight. Failed to get tickets? When looking for an alternative, do not choose seats near the wing, otherwise the increased noise of the engines will disturb you during the flight.

Flying for the first time and do not understand the intricacies? Ask an airline employee for advice.

Conclusion

The Airbus A320 aircraft is one of the most widespread models in the world. Although it was released in the 80s. of the last century, thanks to modernization, the liner remains comfortable even for long flights. With the right choice of places, you will be satisfied with the trip!

Search for cheap plane tickets without leaving your home:

The Airbus A320 is a family of short and medium haul passenger commercial twin-engine aircraft manufactured by a European company. Airbus Industry. It consists of A318, A319, A320, A321 airliners, as well as ACJ (Airbus Corporate Jet) business class models. The A320 is sometimes referred to as the A320ceo (current engine option). The assembly of these models takes place at the company's factories in Toulouse (France) and Hamburg (Germany). The family of aircraft can carry up to 236 passengers and has a maximum range of 5,750 to 11,100 kilometers, depending on the model.

Aircraft modifications A320

During the production of the liner, several modifications appeared:

  • A321. The model was the first derivative of the A320, released in 1988. The fuselage length was increased by 6.94 meters. The maximum takeoff weight has been increased by 9,600 kg to 83,000 kg. The first flight of one of the prototypes took place on March 11, 1993.
  • A319. This is a shortened version of the model. In comparison, it has a 3.73 m shorter fuselage and a simplified wing. Has less weight. It is capable of transporting 124 people over a distance of 6,650 km (or 6,850 with the new Sharklets winglets. On April 23, 1995, the assembly of the first liner of this type began.
  • A318. It is the shortest aircraft in the series. It can carry 107 passengers in a 2-class layout (maximum - 132) for a distance of up to 5,750 km. It made its first flight in July 2003. Can be used on short runways ah, unlike planes that are similar in size.

In 2011, Airbus was introduced with special sharklets wingtips resembling a shark's fin, hence the name.

They are designed to improve the aerodynamics of the aircraft by increasing the effective wing aspect ratio and reducing the induced drag that is created by the vortex shedding from the end of the swept wing.

The A320 aircraft operates, depending on the modification, on CFM International CFM56 (A 320-21x series) or IAE V2500 (A 320-23x series) engines. With a typical two-class seating arrangement, it is capable of carrying up to 150 passengers over a distance of up to 6,100 kilometers

The first flight took place on February 22, 1987, since then 7,533 aircraft have been produced. The main competitor is the Boeing 737.

The interior layout options are as follows:

  • Airbus A320-100
  • Airbus A320-200

A total of 21 copies of the 100th series were manufactured and delivered to airline Air Inter.

Of the main changes in the 200 modification compared to the 100 series, it is worth highlighting the appearance of special Whitcomb washers on the side ends of the wings and the expansion of the fuel tank to increase the range of the aircraft.

The passenger capacity of both options is the same - 150 seats, classes differ only in flight range and load.

In the first half of 2003 Skytrax (UK) carried out a study to find out the preferences of passengers. As a result of the study, more than 69 thousand people were interviewed, who had to answer questions regarding various criteria (engine noise in the cabin, seat comfort and distance between rows). As a result, about 59% of respondents recognized the cabin of the Airbus 320 as the most comfortable. Another nominee at the same time - "Boeing-737" - scored a little over 25% of the vote.

WITHinterior planAirbus A320

Different places in the cabin have their pros and cons. Many people prefer to choose seats near the windows to admire the opening landscapes. But the disadvantages of such places can be called the need to disturb the neighbors in order to go to the toilet. The advantages of aisle seats include freedom of movement, but you will have to endure anxiety from neighbors who need to go to the restroom.

During the production and use of the aircraft, a large number of various modifications of the cabin of the airbus. The Airbus A320 is a narrow-body aircraft with one central aisle, four passenger entrances and four emergency exits.

The Airbus 320 can accommodate a maximum of 180 passengers. In the standard 2-class layout (2+2 in business class and 3+3 seats in economy class), up to 150 passengers can be accommodated in this modification.

Best Places Airbus a320 .

When choosing a cabin with one class - economy, it is necessary to take into account the following recommendations when choosing seats:

  • Passengers seated in the front row can receive in-flight meals and drinks the fastest. Also, the first row provides the most legroom, there are no front-seated passengers. Also, those traveling in the front row can exit the cabin the fastest when landing. The disadvantage of such places is the reduced width of the seats, due to the fact that the tables for eating are attached to the armrests.
  • In the 12th and 13th rows there are emergency exits, which gives the greatest legroom for seated passengers, but the distance of reclining the backs of the seats is reduced.
  • Seats in the tail are considered the worst due to the fact that the backs of the seats most often do not recline, and the kitchen and toilets are located nearby. But this can be a plus, as some prefer to choose places precisely because of the proximity of the toilet.

Note! Salon schemes various airlines may differ, so you should study the seating arrangement on the website of the air carrier.

The scheme of the cabin with a business class was taken from the official website of the Aeroflot airline (Moscow), since it is she who is the most in demand among various airlines. As follows.

The manufacturer Airbus a 320 seats in the cabin provides for two passenger accommodation schemes:

  • Location with 20 seats in business and 120 in economy.
  • Location with 8 business seats and 150 economy seats.

Business Class

The first seat installation scheme with 5 rows of business class. The most comfortable are the seats in the middle. The chairs are wide and comfortable, there are footrests, which is convenient for long flights. The seats recline strongly, which allows you to comfortably spend the time of the flight. A separate toilet is provided. On the last row there is a partition that separates the business layout from the economy class.

Economy class

The most comfortable are the seats of the 6th row, since there is a large distance between the wall separating the salon and the chair in order to stretch the legs. From these places, in-flight meals and drinks are served, and therefore the greatest choice is provided, in contrast to the tail section passengers. The downside is the need to go to the toilet through the entire cabin of the aircraft.

Seats in the 8th row are located in front of emergency exits, and therefore the backs practically do not recline. A similar situation is in the 9th row, which is also located in front of the emergency exits. The seats provide plenty of space for those in front, which allows you to freely go to the restroom.

The seats of the 10th row are located near the emergency hatches, but unlike the 8-9 rows, it allows you to freely recline the backs of the seats. At the same time, many complain that the seats themselves are not very comfortable for long-distance flights. Of the minuses: these places have restrictions, for example, tickets for people with disabilities, passengers with children or animals, pregnant women, and teenagers under 16 years old are not sold for this row. You can not put hand luggage, bags, suitcases in front of you or under the seats.

The 10th - 23rd rows, inclusive, can be called comfortable, but you need to carefully weigh all the above pros and cons to choose seats near the windows or seats in the central aisle. For example, lovers social networks, beautiful photos and landscapes, it is recommended to choose places near the windows, but you will have to constantly disturb the neighbors to get out. Should be considered weather and time of day, since at night the probability of taking beautiful pictures is extremely small. In addition, it must be taken into account that in 15-20 rows the entire view overlaps the wing of the aircraft.

People who are afraid of flying, as well as those traveling with children, are advised to choose seats in the aisle.

The 24th and 25th rows are the least comfortable in many respects. This is due to the fact that all passengers going to the toilet will pass by, which is extremely uncomfortable. Passengers in the 25th row will have to experience this to the maximum extent, since queues often form at the toilets, people knock on doors, they can hurt the passengers of this row. The backs of the seats practically do not recline. You will also have to endure the wafting unpleasant odors and sounds.

Airbus A320 seats in the cabin of other airlines

S7

A two-class layout is practiced here: this is business (8 seats) and economy (150 seats). Business class passengers are offered individual meals. Food and drinks are served from the 3rd row, so it is recommended to choose seats closer to the start. It is advisable to choose the 11th row, but be prepared for the restrictions associated with the prohibition of placing bags under or in front of the seat, as well as observe safety.

Ural Airlines

Rows 1-3 are reserved for business class. Next comes the economy, which is standard, the scheme is similar to that described above for Aeroflot. In rows 9-10, the backs do not move, but there is plenty of legroom. Experienced travelers recommend row number 11, but there are no armrests for seats A and F.

wizz Air

All aircraft of the airline are presented with the same cabin layout for 1 class and up to 180 seats. Best and worst places are identical to the 1-class scheme of Aeroflot. But there are some differences in conditions. Since Wizz Air is a low-cost carrier, they do not provide boarding passes During registration. But in this situation, there are several ways out of the situation:

  • The company provides priority boarding services, it is called Wizz Xpress priority boarding. The system provides the possibility of initial boarding, before other passengers and the possibility of choosing a seat if it is not already booked.
  • There is such a service as the ability to reserve seats for a fee, usually rows 1-2 and 12-13

Airliner Airbus A320 is one of the most common models in the world. Although the aircraft was developed back in the 80s of the last century, it remains comfortable for flights of any duration and range. It is enough to correctly approach the choice of the best places. It is always necessary to clarify which Airbus A320 cabin layout is presented in the airline on which the trip is planned, since they can vary significantly. It is necessary to clarify how many seats the carrier has allocated for each class. All experienced travelers recommend that you familiarize yourself with the location of seats in the cabin and its division into classes on the carrier's website.

The Airbus A320 is a passenger jet airliner with a narrow fuselage and the first aircraft to use an electric remote control system. It belongs to the short- and medium-range type. Serial production of the a320 was launched in 1988. The liner is very popular with airlines. Until 2017, about 8 thousand cars were produced, of which 6.5 thousand are still in operation.

A320 versions

The first version of the airbus a320-100, developed in the 80s of the last century and produced in limited quantities: only 21 aircraft. The fact is that almost immediately the a320-200 model was developed, which became the leading modification of the airbus. This aircraft is equipped with additional fuel tanks to increase the flight range. Its variations A 320-212, A320-214, A 320-232, A 320-231 did not undergo significant changes in flight characteristics. Updates concerned mainly the internal configuration.

In the early 2010s as a result of the deep modernization of the a320, the newest ultra-modern aircraft Airbus A320neo appeared, which made the first commercial flight January 21, 2016 at Lufthansa.

The layout of the passenger cabin of the Airbus A320

Anyone who is going to make a flight on this Airbus is undoubtedly worried about the question of what the passenger cabin of the A320 looks like? In its segment, it is distinguished by spaciousness and roomy niches for accommodating hand luggage. Large capacity has a cargo deck. The aircraft has different configuration options. passenger cabin which can accommodate up to 180 people. However, more often the airbus has two classes of service: business and economy. The business sector can be designed for:

  • 8 seats (carrier "EasyJet"),
  • 12 seats (Rossiya Airlines),
  • 20 seats (Aeroflot).

Thus, the total number of seats can be reduced to 134, and the capacity of the economy sector, respectively, to 114.

Airbus A320 Passenger Cabin Diagram

Economy class

Seats in the economy cabin start from the 3rd, 4th or 6th row. They are located just behind the business sector partition. While eating, passengers in these seats use folding tables. Armchairs are arranged according to the "3 × 3" type. They can have a width of 43.2 cm and 45.7 cm. If the seats are narrow, then the aisle between the seats is quite wide and is 63.5 cm. This creates additional convenience for passengers occupying seats from the edge. They will not be touched by people passing by. The economy class salon has two bathrooms, which are located at the end of the salon immediately behind the last row.

Business Class

From 1 to 2 (in a different configuration for 3 or 5 rows) there are business places of the "2 × 2" type. Wide seats (57 cm), almost horizontally reclining backrest, footrest create comfortable flight conditions for passengers of this service class. The distance between the rows is more than half a meter, so a passenger who wants to take a nap will not cause inconvenience to people sitting behind, even if he reclines his seat at the maximum possible angle.

Best Places

  • seats C and D in the Airbus A320-214 are in close proximity to the toilet;
  • most people are not very pleased to see a wall in front of them (at a distance of 1-1.5 m) for several hours.

6 row (in other trim levels 3 or 4 row) - these are the first places of the economy. They have larger area for legs, and for passengers traveling with children under 2 years old, this is the most comfortable row, because:

  • cradles are attached to the wall in front;
  • other passengers will not be disturbed here: there is no reclining back in front, and technical rooms (toilet and kitchen) are located at the end of the aircraft.

Salon photo

The 13th row (10 or 11 in terms of other configurations) also has additional legroom, since here the seats are located immediately behind the emergency hatch. However, the a320 has two emergency hatches, and the second is located directly behind the 13th row, limiting the angle of reclining the back.

Seats in the 14th row (11 or 12 in other configurations) certainly have the greatest comfort in the economy class cabin. The distance for their legs is increased due to the emergency hatch, and the angle of reclining the chair is not limited. However, according to the existing safety rules for air transportation, seats in front of emergency hatches cannot be occupied by children, pregnant women, the disabled and passengers carrying animals.

Main characteristics

Advanced technologies for the end of the last century radically changed the equipment of the a320 airliner:

  1. In the cockpit, the instrument panel with arrows was replaced by an electronic one, which was equipped with beam displays (then they were replaced by LCD monitors).
  2. The flight of the A320 instead of the steering wheel is regulated by convenient side handles. The trajectory of movement set by them is first analyzed by the on-board computer, and only then is fed to the steering planes.
  3. Electro-remote control made it possible to fly the aircraft with a crew of only two pilots, as the control of the liner became much easier.

The A320 also has other less striking, but still significant characteristics: this is an increase in the number of doors: 4 passenger exits and the same number of emergency ones.

Design features

The Airbus 320 is a monoplane with a low swept wing with engines placed under it.

Capacity, dimensions, weight

A 320 is capable of accommodating 180 passengers, while the maximum payload of the aircraft is 16,600 kg.

The length of this aircraft is 37.57 m, while the length of the passenger compartment is only 27.5 m, and the width is 3.7 m. The wingspan of the liner is 34.1 m. and reduce inductive resistance. Aeroflot was the first Russian carrier to operate the A320 with new aerodynamic Sharklets (sharklets) - wingtips.

From how much the aircraft itself weighs, its commercial mass also depends to a certain extent. So maximum takeoff weight a320 is 78 tons, landing - 66 tons with a small dead weight of the aircraft - 42,100 kg.

flight data

The A320 can reach speeds of up to 890 km/h with a takeoff speed of 240 km/h. It is capable of covering distances up to 6150 km with maximum height flight 11900 m, however, not every airfield can accept this airbus. Landing strip must correspond to the minimum length of its take-off distance, which is 2090 m. The design of the aircraft assumes fuel consumption at cruising speed(840 km/h) 2,600 l/h. At the same time, the volume of fuel tanks is 24,210 - 27,200 liters.

History of the Airbus A320

For the first time, the Airbus Industrie A320 board took to the skies in 1987. It quickly enough, without complaints, passed the tests and was certified. The well-known European airline Air France became the first customer of the developed airbuses. And in the early spring of 1988, the A320 airliner made the very first regular flight.

After the car was repeatedly improved. A320neo is a representative of a new generation of narrow-body long-haul aircraft. On September 25, 2014, the a320neo was tested for the first time. By the end of the year, the car was certified. To do this, it took 600 times to lift the airliner into the sky. The total flight duration was 1700 hours.

Where is it produced

Components produced at the Airbus factories are transported for the final assembly of the A320 to Toulouse. In order to financially rehabilitate the company in 2007, the production of the a320 was transferred from France to Germany, and the production of these machines was additionally launched in China. Also in 2010, an agreement was signed for the production of components for an airliner at an aircraft plant in Irkutsk.

The cost of different models

How much an airbus a320 costs depends on the year of manufacture, modification and wear and tear of the car and varies from 65 to 105 million dollars. So board a320-200 2002. with a total flight time of 26,435 hours can be purchased for $70,000,000, and a refurbished used A320neo for $102.8 million. New aircraft are much more expensive. For example, the newly released a320-214 will cost the buyer $93.9 million and more (the configuration features only increase the cost of the car), and the a320neo - $107.3 million.

Last year, Airbus received a huge number of orders for 1,619 airliners with a total value of $240.5 billion.

News, modernization, prospects

The a320 has a great future. Such airbuses are in demand in the passenger aircraft market. According to a long-term thirty-year forecast made by Boeing, world airlines need 38,050 new aircraft, including 26,730 with a narrow fuselage.

The modern upgraded A320neo of various configurations is especially popular with airlines. And although the a320-200 of all modifications still dominates in the air fleets of the leading companies in the segment of medium-haul aircraft, the future still belongs to the new version of this airliner.

Watch a video about the history of the Airbus A320

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Airbus A320 aircraft - is calling card Airbus S.A.S. This airliner is known all over the world for the fact that, along with the leading models of its main competitor, Boeing, it supplies air carriers with a large number of aircraft. To date, it is known that more than 11,000 aircraft have been ordered, of which 8,000 have already been produced, and most of of which are being successfully used. This makes the liner fundamental in the world of civil aviation.

The highest reliability and the total use of digital technologies, which are designed to ensure flight safety, have turned the Airbus A320 and the family models closest to it into a real flying computer. This distinguishes the European liner from its main competitors in the sky.

History of creation

The first mention of the development of a new aircraft in the Airbus concern dates back to 1981. Then, all over the continent, they argued intensely about why the first models of the 737 family were firmly established in the sky. They needed to prepare a decent response.

The French manufacturer focused on efficiency, but the dimensions of the aircraft had to be fully consistent with the main competitors.

By the time of testing, two versions of the machines had been prepared: one for 154 seats (A320-100), the other for 172 seats (A320-200).

Later, it was decided to abandon both options and create a 162-seat liner.

The final tests took place in February 1987, and the consortium received a license to fly in 1988.

At that time, the Airbus A320 became the most technologically advanced aircraft of its time. It remains the flagship of the European manufacturer, and the plant constantly supports special programs aimed at the systematic improvement of not only the aircraft’s digital filling, but also the engines and structural elements of the fuselage, wing, and cockpit.

The design of the liner and its cabin

The Airbus A320 served as the founder of the entire aircraft family of the manufacturer. Its design is classic. civil aircraft.

This model is a monoplane with two engines under the wing.

The wing is swept and has deltoid winglets at the ends to reduce air turbulence and save fuel, as well as increase lift during takeoff.

Special shape of winglets (direction both up and down) - characteristic, by which you can distinguish the Airbus A320. However, after 2012, the winglets were changed, turning them into a classic version (pointing upwards).

Turbofan engines are manufactured by CFMI (model CFM56-5B) or IAE (model V2500-A5). In the future, joint work is underway to develop Pratt & Whitney engines (model PW1000G), which can help improve the efficiency of flights.


Power plants carried down the wing, as the consoles are thin and do not allow built-in options. Existing engines are the quietest in the class, producing no more than 82 decibels during takeoff.

Fuel tanks are located in the wing and fuselage. The landing gear is traditionally made of tricycles - one pivot in the bow, the other two - in the central part of the wing. Two wheels are fixed on each rack, the front bogie has distinguishing feature, it does not become vertical, but always has a slightly beveled forward position.

The undeniable competitive advantage of the Airbus A320 aircraft is the most modern, advanced avionics on board.

The European manufacturer has been keeping this concept for several decades and will use it in its developments. In terms of digital support, the machine is the most advanced in the world of civil aviation.
All information about the flight is displayed on liquid crystal monitors.

To improve visibility in the cockpit, the use of devices unique to civil aviation was provided. The A320 does not use steering wheels, but control sticks (as on military fighters).


The most important difference is the digital processing of all actions performed by the crew. The aircraft provides not direct mechanical communication between the helm and flaps, but a signal to the computer, which drives the drive of the control systems. The level of automation made it easy to reduce the crew to 2 pilots.

But the same number of personnel is used by the main competitors - Boeing. However, for the Americans, the transition to 2 pilots was accompanied by fierce disputes and numerous commissions and tests, as well as strikes.

The Airbus cabin is thought out to the smallest detail.

Engineers have provided everything from the distance between the chairs, to individual lighting and adjusting the brightness of monitors. Increased attention was paid to the interior of the cabin and shelves for hand luggage. The cladding used modern composite panels, and the shelves hold 11% more cargo than previous versions of the European manufacturer's aircraft. However, some measures went to the detriment of spaciousness.

The Airbus A320 is a narrow-body airliner, so there is 1 aisle between the seats. The classic layout includes seats for business passengers and economy class. These versions of the liner are the most popular, they can accommodate up to 150 people. Without business seats, Airbus can carry up to 180 people. Standard economy placements assume a 3-3 layout. In the business class, the seats are arranged in the form of "2-2".

The Airbus A320 has 4 standard exits and 4 emergency exits.


In general, in terms of comfort of all seats in the cabin, a civilian airliner surpasses its competitors. But there are places that can safely be called the best in terms of amenities. It is believed that in addition to business seats, the economic 4th and 11th row in the general cabin.

Flight performance

Airbus A320Boeing 737-400
Fuselage length, m37,57 36,4
Wingspan, m34.1 (for the whole family)28,88
Takeoff weight, maximum, t77 62,8
Passenger capacity, persons150…180 Up to 168
Speed, cruising, km/h840 807
Flight range, km6150 5000
Ceiling, flight altitude, km12 11,3

Production

In the production of Airbus are used composite materials. They make up to 20% of all materials used in the construction of the liner. The manufacturer prefers mainly plastic reinforced with fiberglass. Most composites are used in the construction of the wing and keel.


Until 2008, the aircraft were finally assembled exclusively in France, at a factory in Toulouse. But due to unusually high demand, since March 2008, the German plant in Hamburg has also joined the work. Later, China also joined in, which in the future will assemble up to 4 cars per month on its lines.

Exploitation

The first deliveries of the Airbus A320 began in 1988. First, they came to the disposal of European manufacturers, then - in the United States. At the time of their release, they were the first in many aspects. So, they replaced the classic steering wheels with handles, which were placed to the left of the commander of the ship and to the right of the co-pilot.

The aircraft was the first to use composite materials so widely in the manufacture of not only interior design, but also the main structures - wings and keel.

In addition, the Airbus A320 differed from its competitors in that it used the best achievements of computer engineering in its management.

Modifications

The Airbus A320 is considered the founder of the French manufacturer's aircraft series. The success of the liner served as the foundation for the creation of more advanced aircraft models.

A318 is the smallest airliner in terms of capacity, which took off in 2003. It can accommodate from 107 to 132 people on board, but has a low noise level (which makes it very convenient for use at airports within urban areas). This model can land and take off from short runways.


A319 - received a shortened (in comparison with the A320) fuselage for 2 rows of seats. By the number of seats, there are versions from 116 to 158 seats, but the flight range has increased. On the basis of this modification, variants for business or with increased fuel tanks are being built (flight range - up to 8300 km).

A321 - has been in operation since 1994 and received a shorter flight range than the founder of the A320, but more spaciousness. From 170 to 220 people can fit on board.

In July 2011, Airbus S.A.S. entered into a promising agreement with the famous American airline American Airlines for the supply of 130 Airbus A320 aircraft and 130 of the latest Airbus A320neo.

Almost all components of the A320 liners and the aircraft of the SU family closest to them are transported by transport ships.

prospects

The main hope of the company in the future is the A320 neo model. Changes in comparison with its predecessor affected the design of the wing (winglets).

Also, the developers managed to increase the range by 950 kilometers, and the savings reached 16% of fuel, compared to the A320.

In 2016, these aircraft began to be delivered to the airlines, but still the majority of pre-orders have not yet been completed, as the A320 neo became the most popular civil airliner in the world in terms of the number of orders at the time of its display to the public at the Le Bourget air show.


Pre-orders for the model beat more than one record. The Malaysian low-cost airline AirAsia ordered the most, which closed a deal for 200 aircraft. showed interest and European carriers, which owns the lion's share of the 1029 pre-ordered models of the liner.