Virgin America announced a firm order for 60 new Airbus A320 aircraft to be delivered starting in 2013, including 30 of the A320neo aircraft — the first commercial order for the new eco-efficient engine option. This formalizes and expands an initial commitment made at the Farnborough International Airshow in July 2010, but the announcement of the new fuel-saving A320neo is a new development in that deal.
Virgin America is the launch customer for the new Airbus A320neo aircraft, which promises to be one of the most fuel and carbon-efficient commercial aircraft in the world. With the order and growth from other sources, Virgin America’s fleet will more than triple in size — from its current 34 aircraft to 111 aircraft by 2019. To celebrate its growth, the airline launched a “Sweet 60” sale on flights across its network with fares from $60, restrictions, taxes and fees applying. Fare sale tickets must be purchased by Jan. 19, 2011, and travel must occur between Jan. 31 and Feb. 28, 2011, or March 1 to May 11, 2011. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling 877-359-8474 or visiting www.virginamerica.com.
The 30 current technology A320s are slated for delivery from 2013 to 2016. The neo option was launched in late 2010, and the 30 neo aircraft are slated for first delivery in early 2016. The A320neo will offer 15 percent gains in fuel efficiency, along with the accompanying improvements in carbon efficiency — including double-digit reductions in NOx emissions. The A320neo offers reduced engine noise, lower operating costs and up to 500 nautical miles more range. Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson and Virgin America President and CEO David Cush joined Airbus CEO Tom Enders and Airbus COO Customers John Leahy to make the announcement alongside one of the new aircraft during the Airbus annual press conference at Toulouse, France. Video of the event is available at www.airbus.com/broadcastroom.
“At just three years old and at a time when many carriers are contracting, we’re pleased to be growing and bringing our award-winning service to new markets,” said Cush. “We credit a great deal of our success to date to having the right aircraft. The low operating costs, cabin comfort and carbon-efficient design of our all new Airbus A320 Family fleet has helped fuel our growth and success in the North American market — and we’re confident the A320neo will only build on that.”
Since its 2007 launch, Virgin America has operated a new Airbus A320 family fleet. Seating configuration on the new aircraft will remain the same as the carrier’s current 146- to 149-seat A320s, which offer an international-grade First Class cabin and Main Cabin and Main Cabin Select services. As with all of Virgin America’s fleet, the new aircraft will undergo modifications to offer the airline’s signature mood-lit interiors, touch-screen entertainment and upscale design features. The upgraded neo aircraft will feature 95 percent airframe commonality with the original A320 Family, offering a seamless fit into the existing Virgin America fleet. Virgin America has not yet announced its engine choice on the order.
“We hit our 5,000th order in August of 2004 — after more than 30 years,” said Airbus’ Enders. “To achieve the 10,000th order just over six years later is a ringing endorsement of our product line. And to do so with Virgin America, one of our newest and trendiest customers, is very fitting. The fact that this milestone also embraces the first firm order for our new, eco-efficient A320neo is also very inspiring.”
The A320neo’s fuel efficiency is expected to yield an average annual savings of $1.1 million per aircraft. The neo will employ wing tip devices called “Sharklets,” which enhance the eco-efficiency and payload-range performance of the A320. The A320neo will emit 3,600 fewer tons of CO2 per aircraft on an annual basis.
“Virgin airlines are known around the world for innovation — for harnessing the best in design, technology and entertainment to reinvent the travel experience,” said Branson. “We’re just as committed to investing in the next generation solutions that will make air travel more sustainable. Climate change cannot be ignored by business, and I believe that we must rise to the challenge of combating it and find new and better ways of operating. The A320neo will help us get there, by lowering costs and reducing our impact on the environment. Virgin America’s existing A320s are now up to 25 percent more fuel and carbon efficient than the average U.S. fleet, and the A320neo promises to improve on those numbers even more.” For more information, visit www.virginamerica.com.
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