This model of airliner is produced by the Airbus aircraft manufacturing association. The improved design includes a fairly large number of technical innovations. This aircraft became the first passenger aircraft in the world to use a remote control system. Now, instead of the usual steering wheels, pilots use side handles. Many metal parts have been replaced with products made from composite materials.
Airbus A320 of Aeroflot airline
Despite the unique characteristics of the A320 aircraft, its design continues to be improved. The most recent innovation was the wingtips. These bends are designed to reduce fuel consumption.
Unique parameters
The initial version of the aircraft was produced in small quantities, but after the development of an improved model, aircraft production increased to 40 aircraft per month. In addition to the upward-curved wing tips, the fuel tanks were also modernized, significantly increasing their volume. They now hold 29.8 tons of aviation kerosene.
Airbus A320 with wingtips at the Berlin Airshow, 2012
The main characteristics of the device are as follows:
- Height – 11.8 meters.
- Length – 37.6 meters.
- The wingspan is 34.1 meters.
- The weight of the Airbus 320 is 77 tons. This is with full fuel tanks.
- The flight altitude is 11.9 km.
- Maximum speed – 900 km/h.
- Range – over 5000 km.
- The take-off run is 2 km.
The number of seats in the cabin for ordinary passengers is 180, and in the case of a cabin layout with business class seats, the capacity of the Airbus A320 without pilots is 150 people.
The developers introduced many technical innovations to the project of this model. The plane became the first passenger airliner with a fly-by-wire control system. Its advantages lie in the automatic control of many parameters of the aircraft. In particular, the specified program does not allow overload, and also reacts to the power of the crosswind. Pilots are alerted to any discrepancies by on-board digital electronics supplied by French manufacturers.
It instantly copes with flight and navigation information, instantly processing data related to the operation of on-board systems. Timely warning of pilots about failures greatly facilitates the work of pilots. All electronic equipment meets international standards.
The image from the cameras is transmitted directly to the monitors
Each wing is equipped with one powerful turbojet engine. Regardless of the model, the motors installed are different. The serial number of the modification depends on their types.
Modernization of the A320 airliner
Today, engineers and designers of the Airbus Corporation are improving this aircraft, which has been given the name: “A320neo”. This is another step in the modernization of this model. A large number of elements made of composite materials will be added: plastic reinforced with glass fiber and carbon fiber. Honeycomb core is also used.
The aircraft development program includes the following changes: weight reduction of the entire structure, improved interior design, and increased luggage compartment.
The main part of the wing mechanization is made of heterogeneous artificial materials. These are spoiler panels, nose cone, slats, flaps, etc. The vertical tail is completely composite. The material consists of two or more components. Each of them is separated by a clear boundary. In most composites, the components are divided into a matrix and its constituent reinforcing elements. They are designed to improve mechanical performance. The front part of the horizontal stabilizer is also made of composite.
The modernized model will be equipped with new economical engines. The emission of harmful substances and noise levels will be significantly reduced. Fuel consumption will be reduced by up to 15%. The wings will also be improved. Now the ends will resemble shark fins. According to the calculations of the developers, it is precisely such designs that reduce fuel consumption. Thanks to all the innovations, the flight range will increase by almost 1000 kilometers.
Flying laboratory, aka the very first A320 with tail number MSN001
Peculiarities
Compared to other airliners of similar sizes, the A320 model has a fairly large passenger cabin, equipped with wide shelves that can accommodate a large amount of hand luggage. The huge cargo compartment and extended hatches for loading luggage stand out here. The company's developers made all these and other changes after 2000.
The interior panels were replaced. Passengers will now be able to easily accommodate 10% more carry-on luggage than before. Individual LED lighting appeared above each chair. The main light in the cabin can be adjusted as needed. Outdated cathode ray monitors have been replaced by liquid crystal displays.
In addition to electronics, the developers worked on many mechanisms, significantly improving their performance. All this contributed to a reduction in the cost of service.
Another feature of the A320 model is the technically improved cockpit. Now any information regarding auxiliary systems, as well as the aircraft’s engines, its flight position and other parameters, is displayed on several displays occupying the main part of the instrument panel.
Thanks to the side control handles, the work of the pilots has been greatly simplified. These joysticks are not directly connected to the planes. Any movement of the levers is processed by a computer, after which the information is transmitted to the drives, whose operation is based on hydraulics. The high level of automation made it possible to limit the number of crew members to two pilots, and also significantly increased passenger comfort and flight safety.
Official development of the A320 aircraft model began in 1984. The car first took off three years later. Despite this, the liner has not been written off, but is constantly being modernized. This is dictated by the demands of the time. In particular, the developers are somewhat reducing the passenger space, thereby increasing the number of seats.
As for production lines, they are open in many countries around the world. Relatively recently, an aircraft assembly plant in China began producing 4 aircraft per month.
At the Le Bourget air show, held in 2011, this model was in high demand. Thanks to this, the management of the Airbus concern received several large orders from leasing and even budget organizations. In total, the aircraft manufacturing association received 667 orders, which undertook to supply 1,029 A320 model aircraft to customers. The total amount of all orders was almost $70 billion. This figure made the airliner the most popular in the world.
In the family of this series of machines, the largest is the A321 model. She was first seen in action in 1994, when she took on her first passengers. The huge dimensions do not provide for more passenger seats. However, there are also two salons, one of which is budget.
In contact with
Aeroflot currently has 60 Airbus A320 aircraft in its fleet, designed for short- and medium-distance flights with a maximum length of up to 4,000 kilometers.
The company owns Airbus A320 in two configurations:
Airbus A 320-214: 20 seats in business class, 120 seats in economy class.
Airbus A 320: 8 seats in business class, 150 seats in economy class.
IMPORTANT: if you are booking or purchasing a ticket, but do not know what configuration aircraft you will be flying on, be guided by the number of seats. The Airbus A320-214 has only 25 rows, 5 of which are in the business class cabin. The Airbus 320 of a different configuration has only 30 rows, 2 of which are reserved for business class.
If you know the cabin layout, it will be easy for you to choose the best seats for a comfortable flight and avoid the worst places.
The best seats in business class
The business class cabin in the Airbus A320 is less spacious than, for example, in the Airbus A330: the distance between the seats is not very large, but greater than in economy class. The backrests of the chair recline at a sufficiently large angle to achieve a comfortable position. Despite this, seats in business class on the Airbus A320 are considered the most comfortable and desirable, since comfortable conditions have been created for the flight (calm atmosphere, comfortable seats, a varied food menu and an expanded entertainment system, attentive service).
The seats in the business class cabin of the Airbus A320 are arranged in two lines. Rows 5 or 2 (in different aircraft configurations).
In general, all seats in the business class cabin are comfortable and good. When there are only 8 people flying in the cabin, there is no need to worry about anything.
1st row: seats C and D in business class on the Airbus A320-214 may be a little uncomfortable due to the proximity of the bathroom. The noise of flushing water and the walking of passengers can disturb your peace.
5 row It may be uncomfortable due to the close location of the economy class cabin, where it can be quite noisy.
Best Economy Class Seats
Rows located near emergency exits also have their own characteristics.
Row 8(or row 12 in a different configuration) is inconvenient because the backs of the seats are fixed so as not to block the passage to the emergency exit located at the rear.
Row 9(or row 13 in a different configuration) is also equipped with seats without a reclining function, but it has some advantage, namely free space for the legs in front, which will allow you to take a freer and more comfortable position.
Row 10(or row 14 in another configuration): seats in this row are considered the most comfortable, as there is enough legroom in front, and the backrest reclines in the standard mode. These seats (except for seats A and F in row 10) are called Space+ and have special requirements for passengers. For safety reasons, such seats must be occupied by healthy, capable passengers, because in the event of an unforeseen situation, they must be able to help the crew evacuate the remaining passengers. Therefore, passengers with children under 12 years of age and those transporting animals, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities are not allowed to sit here. It is also important to note that, also for safety reasons, emergency exits are prohibited from cluttering with bags and hand luggage.
Row 25(or row 30 in a different configuration): these are the worst seats, since they are located next to the toilet, and the backs of the chairs do not recline. All this involves an uncomfortable upright position throughout the flight and a constant flow of people who create noise and movement that disturbs your peace.
Thus, to choose the best seats on the plane, you need to know the cabin layout. The best seats are in the front rows and near the emergency exits. The least desirable seats to book are at the back of the plane.
From the moment of commissioning A320 absolutely surpassed all other civil aircraft in terms of the use of high technology - both in aerodynamics and in the field of on-board equipment.
History of creation
After ten years of discussions, in which almost all aircraft manufacturers in Europe took part, the consortium Airbus Industry in 1981, he began implementing a project for a 150-seat airliner for short- and medium-haul routes.
At that time, aircraft with large
passenger capacity, so two cars with 154 and 172 seats were taken into development. These were two models A320-100 And A320-200, but in 1984 such a project was abandoned in favor of one 162-seat vehicle. The new project included two versions of the aircraft, differing only in the capacity of the fuel tanks and the designation A320-100 And A320-200 remains relevant.
First flight A320
The new aircraft was first flown on February 22, 1987, under the name A320-100, only 21 aircraft were produced in the series of such airliners. Second option A320-200 became the main representative of airliners A320, the airworthiness certificate for this model was issued in November 1988. This plane is different from A320-100 increased maximum take-off weight, wingtips with delta-shaped winglets and an additional fuel tank of 8016 liters in the center section.
Consortium Airbus is constantly working to modernize its aircraft, a program has been launched New Engine Option by equipment A320 new economical power plants. Pratt & Whitney engines PW1000G According to the company's management, operating costs will be reduced by 20%, and the airliner itself will receive improved aerodynamics and a new passenger cabin design.
The Russian company Transaero has signed a firm contract for the purchase of 8 units А320neo, which began to enter service in 2015.
Design features of the A320 airliner
According to its aerodynamic design A320 is a monoplane with a low-swept wing, under which engines are located on both sides and a single-fin tail.
The airliner's wing is thin with high aerodynamic efficiency, all mechanization is made of composite materials, the fin and the leading edge of the stabilizer are also made of composite. Side winglets on the wing tips save fuel and reduce induced drag.
Airbus A320 - flying throughout Europe
Power plants since 1989 have been equipped with the quietest and most powerful engines in their class, the V2500. Engines A320 during takeoff mode they produce a noise level of no more than 82 decibels. The aircraft has a three-wheel landing gear, each bogie has two wheels. The main struts are retracted in flight into the center section, the nose strut is retracted into the front part of the fuselage.
A distinctive feature of the aircraft is fly-by-wire control. In the cockpit, the commander on the left side and the co-pilot on the right have two sidesticks, replacing the usual steering wheel. The sidesticks do not have a direct connection with the control surfaces; any deviation is calculated by the computer and the signal from it gives a command to the hydraulic drive to deflect the rudders.
Video: Airbus A320 - flight from the cockpit
These side control sticks freed up space for the pilots' fold-down tables and improved visibility of the six color LCD displays, two directly in front of the pilots and two in the center of the instrument panel. The displays provide pilots with all the information about the navigation situation, the operation of power plants and other equipment of the aircraft.
Passenger cabin A320 made very spacious, the shelves for hand luggage have a large volume, there is a lot of space for cargo on the lower deck and wide hatches for loading luggage. The cabin is lined with modern panels, a touch display on the Flight Attendant Panel, LED lighting for each passenger seat and the ability to change the brightness of the entire cabin lighting from 0 to 100%.
Flight performance
- The length of the aircraft is 37.57 m.
- The height of the aircraft is 11 m.
- Wing span – 34.1 m.
- The cabin width is 3.7 m.
- Maximum take-off weight – 77 tons.
- Minimum take-off distance – 2090 m.
- Engines – 2 x IAE V2500-A5.
- Thrust – 2 x 104.5 kN.
- Cruising speed is 840 km/h.
- Number of passengers – from 140 to 180.
- Fuel consumption – 2700 l/hour.
- Range – 6150 km.
- Practical ceiling – 12 thousand m.
- Crew – 2 people.
Features of choosing the best places
Flying an airplane is still very tiring and depends on the right seat and A320 gives you the opportunity to spend time in the air calmly and comfortably. The rules for choosing seats are usual; on the booklet, which you can buy at the ticket office, there is a layout of seats in the passenger cabin.
The choice of seat depends on your taste, there is only one peculiarity - the chairs next to the toilet and in the back are the most uncomfortable and restless. If you want to relax and sleep well during the flight, choose a seat near the bulkhead; if you like the view from the window, please look at the ground or admire the view of the clouds.
Aeroflot names the best seats in the cabin A320 the following: in the fourth row - A, B, E, F and in the eleventh - B, C, D, E.
In the cabin A320 The first five rows are considered business class; the seats in these rows can be reclined far back without creating inconvenience for passengers in adjacent rows. Business class has seating for baby cots, but no dedicated legroom.
Economy class is separated by a partition; the distance between the seats is less than in business class, but the backrest can be reclined to its full extent without interference. The chairs in front of the partition have their inconveniences; if you don’t bring reading literature, you will have to look at the wall all the time, but service begins from this row.
a320 - interior
Due to the proximity of the toilet, seats in the twenty-fourth row are the most restless; children and older people are not recommended to purchase seats in the tenth and ninth rows. The location of the fourth and eleventh row seats near the emergency hatch makes them the safest. The passenger cabin is not comfortable enough for a tall person due to the technical features of the aircraft, but despite all these errors, “ Airbus 320» is considered quite convenient for this class. Have a good flight!
In the mid-1980s, the first aircraft of the narrow-body aircraft family rolled off the assembly line of the Airbus aircraft manufacturing concern. In Russia, this aircraft is used by Aeroflot and Ural Airlines.
Airbus A 320-100/200
This aircraft was created for medium and short-haul airlines.
It is a twin-engine low-wing aircraft with a swept wing, single-fin vertical tail, and turbofan engines located under the wing.
Today the aircraft is very popular among airlines.
History of creation
This model was specially developed as the main competitor to the most popular aircraft in the 80s. Boeing 727 and other popular models from this company.
The plane was planned to be created on the same scale as the competitive model; it would be the most modern and more advanced both in terms of economy and the availability of different passenger capacities.
Main characteristics
The European airliner has earned special attention due to several of its differences from similar models.
An advanced feature, by 1980s standards, of the Airbus A320 was its fly-by-wire control system and cockpit.
Most of the instrument panel in the cockpit is occupied by six cathode-ray screens, displaying information about the current position of the aircraft.
Such screens replace mechanical pointer instruments. The standard steering wheels were also replaced.
They were replaced by side handles - side sticks.
They are located on the sides of the cockpit, so that the commander, sitting on the left, has the handle on the left, and the co-pilot, sitting on the right, has the handle on the right.
Lower deck cargo capacity has also been increased, as have the loading hatches. At a speed of 840 km/h, the airliner can cover distances of up to 4900 km.
Production points
The A-320 aircraft first took to the skies on February 22, 1987, and was put into operation in 1988. This model is being produced and modernized very actively today.
At the beginning of 2016, about seven thousand models were manufactured during the entire production period, and the number of orders exceeded tens of thousands.
The A-320 model served as the basis for the production of other models.
In 1994, the A321 aircraft was developed with a capacity of up to 220 people without division into classes, then in 1996 - the A319 with 116 passengers on board, and then the A318 in 2003, with a capacity of 107 to 132 people.
These aircraft were produced exclusively at factories in Toulouse until 2008, but then, due to increased demand, another factory was opened in the city of Hamburg-Finkenwerder, where all further production was carried out.
In addition, in 2011 an installation line will open in China, where it is planned to repair up to 4 machines per month.
Today production also takes place in China. Even in Russia, the Irkutsk Aviation Plant produces components for these models.
This article may be of interest:
Another popular airliner from AIRBUS is the A330-200 model. This aircraft was also designed to be a worthy competitor to Boeing's 767-300ER.
This is a wide-body passenger aircraft capable of flying medium and long distances.
Production of the A330-200 began at the end of 1995. It was first flown into the sky on August 13, 1997, and was cleared for passenger transportation only in April 1998.
The model A330-300 was taken as a basis for the construction of this model. A similar wing is used here, and the fuselage is shortened by almost 6 meters (10 sections).
Passenger capacity in three classes can be up to 253 people. The keel was also enlarged.
The greatest competition for the Boeing 767 was created by this particular model, and even the Boeing 787 model, released after, was called by AIRBUS just a response.
There are several aircraft models:
- modernized A330-200 models are a cargo version first created in 2001;
- released only in 2009 A330-200F;
- the increased take-off weight model A330-200HGW, deliveries of which began in 2010;
- military aircraft A330-200 MRTT/FSTA.
The cargo model, after its development, was not in demand for another 8 years. The carrying capacity of such a vessel ranged from 65 to 70 tons of cargo, with a flight of 5950 to 7400 km.
There is a universal loading system on the upper deck of the aircraft, which has not previously existed on any aircraft.
The company also proposed the option of converting passenger airliners of this model into cargo ones. The A330-200 HGW model made it possible to create more effective competition for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
The increased maximum take-off weight (5 tons) is used to increase the flight range by 560 km, or to increase the load on the vessel to 3.4 tons.
Military aircraft A330-200 MRTT/FSTA - translated into Russian MRTT - multi-role transport refueling aircraft, FSTA - future refueling aircraft, which was later renamed KC-30.
If you are planning to fly on one of these planes in the near future, it would be a good idea to find out how the seats are arranged and which ones are the most comfortable.
Today, airlines that have purchased this or that airliner have the right to decide for themselves where to place business class, and how many seats to allocate for this, but still, there are All modernizations have something in common.
So, in the nose of the plane, after the cockpit, there is a toilet and a kitchen. Next, there is one entrance on each side of the board.
Then, after the partition, most often the first three rows are allocated to business class passengers. Next are the economy class seats.
In the area of 9-10 rows there are 2 emergency exits. At the rear there are toilets, entrances on each side and a large kitchen.
Interior diagram of AIRBUS A 330-200
There are several configurations of such an airliner, but the most commonly used is a two-class cabin that can accommodate 300 people and a three-class cabin with 253 seats.
In addition to the toilet and kitchen, there is a wardrobe in the bow. From rows 1 to 6 – business class. Emergency exits are located between the fourth and fifth rows.
Between 23 and 24 rows There are emergency exits and toilets. Toilets and a kitchen are located at the rear of the board.
Of course, not everyone can afford a seat in business class, but provide the best seat, based on your character, habits, as well as your physiological indicators It will only be a plus and will help you endure the flight calmly.
What are the best criteria for choosing seats on an airplane?
- Range of the upcoming flight. This can be either a positive or negative indicator. If the place is near a window, it is certainly nice to admire the view of the clouds from the window. If the flight is short, nothing and no one will spoil the pleasant flight, but if the flight turns out to be long, then every time you need to get up from your seat you will have to disturb the neighbors sitting closer to the exit. The same applies to seats near the aisle - you will have to get up often. For seats in the middle, which are available on A 330 aircraft, you will have to let your neighbor through or ask him to stand up.
- Places near toilets– most often they do not bring much pleasure to passengers during the flight. Very frequent movement of people, often the appearance of queues, as well as the possible occurrence of an unpleasant odor can spoil the mood. In the A 320 liner, there is also such an inconvenience as the impossibility or limitation of the backrest. It cannot be folded back due to the nearby partition.
- Close location of seats to emergency exits on an A 320 aircraft will not be a positive factor when choosing a seat. Although in such places additional legroom is created, and you can easily get up from your seat without disturbing your neighbors. But in some cases, it is also impossible to recline the seat back or this function will be partially limited, and there are no armrests on the seats near the escape hatch itself. In the 24th row of the A 330 aircraft, the presence of an emergency exit in front of it will only be an advantage for free movement, but the disadvantage of these seats will be the presence of a toilet. There are also rules according to which people with children and animals, people with disabilities and elderly people are not seated in these seats.
- The place in front of the partition in the airliner But the 330 will not be the most comfortable; it will restrict the movement of passengers, while in the three hundred and twentieth such a partition is distant from the seats.
- Seats in the bow will have advantages in service. Here you will be able to choose dishes from the available assortment, while in the tail section you have to take what is left. Often, mounts for baby bassinets are installed near such places, and a restless child during a long flight can interfere with rest or work.
- Seats at the back of the plane are considered statistically the safest. About 67% of all passengers who managed to survive the accident were sitting in the rear.
- When choosing a seat on A 330, it is important to remember that at the tail of the side it begins to narrow starting from the 33rd row. The seats are moved slightly into the aisle and passengers or flight attendants passing by may touch the seats or the people sitting on them.
Aeroflot operates 63 Airbus A320-200 aircraft. This is the most numerous model from Aeroflot. The aircraft were received from the manufacturer and were not operated by other airlines. The first aircraft was delivered to the company in October 2003. The youngest aircraft in this series flew in November 2013. We can assume that the A320 airliners have just been run-in.
The planes come in two configurations. The first, which is also the most common, can carry 140 passengers. Of these, 20 seats are allocated for business class, the remaining 120 seats are in economy class. The second configuration has 158 seats, of which 8 are business class and 150 are economy class.
Airplane diagrams were taken from the company's official website: link. In this review we will analyze the model with 140 seats.
Location of the best seats on the Airbus A320
Row 1-5. Business class aircraft. These are the best and most comfortable seats on the plane, of which there are only 20. The seats are arranged in pairs, two pairs in each row. At the same time, the first row is considered the most comfortable, since there is no other row of seats in front of it, which means there is a lot of legroom. However, the distance between the rows in business class is already large (more than 100 cm), so we won’t consider this a big advantage. But the fact that no one will recline the chair for you is a completely different matter.
Row 6. The first row of economy class on the Airbus A320, which is separated from business by a partition. Some of the most comfortable seats in this class. There are reasons for this:
- No row in front means there is extra legroom.
- There is no row in front, which means no one will recline the chair for you.
- If you are flying with a small child, then this is the only row for you, as there are mounts for a cradle here.
- There is no unnecessary fuss and walking here, since the toilets and kitchen are far behind.
However, there are also disadvantages. These seats are often booked by passengers with children, which creates additional noise. The second point is that places fill up quickly, so you need to book in advance. Finally, the third point - the whole way there will be a partition in front of your eyes. Although the view from the window here is good.
Row 8. Marked in brown in the diagram. Not the best places to fly. The emergency exit is located just behind the row, so the seats here are limited in reclining. Staying in one position can greatly spoil the flight experience.
Row 9. Just like in row 8, the seats are limited in reclining. However, the distance to the row in front is quite large, so there is additional legroom (more than in standard rows).
Row 10. On the Aeroflot diagram they are designated as seats of increased comfort. Indeed, these are the best seats in the Airbus A320 economy class. There is a lot of legroom (there is an emergency exit from the row in front), and no one will be disturbed by a reclined seat. Good view from the porthole. Such places must be reserved in advance.
Row 15. View from the window onto the wing of the plane, so if it’s important for you to contemplate the beauty of the flight, it’s better to choose another seat.
Row 24. The disadvantages of the seats in the rear of this plane are that there are toilets here - the only ones in economy class. It turns out that if the plane is full, passengers pass by the last rows endlessly throughout the flight. Queues, jostling, fuss will not bring joy to even the most patient person.
Row 25. The worst places in this layout. Behind the row are only the toilets, which the entire plane uses. Places C and D are even worse, since they are the outermost ones towards the aisle. The biggest movement on board will be in this place. Adding to the negativity is the fact that the seat backs are limited in reclining due to the partition from the toilet.
