Spirit Airlines unveiled its first Airbus A321neo at a ceremony at the company’s Detroit maintenance facility. The low-cost carrier expects to take delivery of seven more new A321neo aircraft in 2023, with 24 more aircraft projected for delivery in 2024, in addition to other A320 family deliveries.
Spirit’s first A321neo is registered as N702NK and was delivered to the airline on May 19 on a ferry flight that departed Hamburg Finkenwerder Airport (XWF) and arrived at Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) after a technical stopover in Reykjavik, Iceland.
The company’s new aircraft is scheduled for first service on June 7 on the Fort Lauderdale – Chicago O’Hare route and the aircraft’s capacity is 235 passengers in two classes (8 Big Front Seat/227 Economy): this A321neo has seven additional seats compared to the A321ceo.
“Adding this new A320 family aircraft variant to our fleet is a feat that has been years in the making. I am grateful for all of our team members who made it possible for us to increase our capabilities and open the door to new horizons for Spirit“, said Ted Christie, president and chief executive officer of Spirit Airlines.
Spirit’s current fleet has 198 aircraft, all A320 family aircraft and with an average age of 6.8 years. The airline operates one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the region.
In addition, as part of its fleet renewal process, the airline is retiring its fleet of Airbus A319s to be replaced by modern A320neo aircraft. Spirit recently closed a deal for the sale of 29 of its A319 aircraft and is scheduling the final retirement of this model by the end of 2025.
New A321neo features and benefits
- The A321neo aircraft have one cabin configuration and feature the airline’s new seats.
- The new aircraft allow for increased capacity at slot-constrained airports.
- Spirit will retain its wide aisles for faster boarding and deplaning, as well as additional space for crews to work.
- The A321neo adds an additional 500 nautical miles of range compared to its predecessor, allowing opportunities for new routes.
- Spirit is installing Pratt & Whitney GTF engines on new aircraft deliveries that provide a 75% reduction in noise footprint.
See also: JetBlue and Frontier Seal Spirit Airlines Divestment Plan at LaGuardia
