Air Transat takes delivery of first A321neoLR
On May 3, Air Transat welcomed the delivery of its first A321neo long-range aircraft.
The aircraft will fly Air Transat's Toronto-London route beginning in October and its Toronto-Manchester route in November. In total, 15 A321neoLRs are slated to enter the airline's fleet by 2022.
Annick Guérard, Chief Operating Officer at Transat, said in a statement: “The arrival of this new generation of aircraft is an important moment for our company and our passengers in many respects.
“The A321neoLR represents what Air Transat stands for today and what we strive for in the coming years. It reinforces our position as a leader in sustainable tourism, while also offering our passengers a superior onboard experience. In addition, the aircraft’s long range will optimize our operations in our core markets, namely in our destinations in Canada, Europe, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.”
The aircraft will help Air Transat meet its sustainability goals for the coming years. They are powered by Pratt & Whitney engines, which feature the lowest fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions (CO2and NOX) in their class. When compared to previous iterations, the A321neoLR uses 15% less fuel, generates half the noise, produces about 5,000 fewer tonnes of CO2 a year and lowers smog- and acid rain-causing NOX emissions by 50%.
The new aircraft will also feature a newly redesigned cabin that puts passenger comfort at the forefront of the airline's onboard experience. Club Class features 12 natural leather seats with wider touchscreens, improved ergonomics and leg rests. Economy Class (187 seats in total) has wider seats, larger touchscreens to view the airline's entertainment system and a USB charger.
"A key element behind all of our decisions is that we want travelers to feel like they’re on vacation from the moment they set foot on board,” said Guérard.
Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer, commented on the project: “We are proud to deliver the A321LR to Air Transat and to be associated with such a fine, innovative airline."
The airline's second A321neoLR will arrive in June; four more will be delivered this fall. By 2022, Air Transat's entire fleet will be comprised of Airbus aircraft.
