Lisbon based TAP Air Portugal has taken delivery of its first of twelve Airbus A321LR’s on order – becoming the first airline to operate a combined A330neo and A321LR fleet.
TAP’s A321LR single-aisle aircraft is configured with 171 seats (16 full flat Business, 48 Eco Premium and 107 Ecomomy seats). It will be operated on the Lisbon-Tel Aviv route at its entry into service.
Airbus said the combination of the A321LR and the A330neo within a single fleet provides operators a powerful lever to cover the needs of the medium to long haul market.
TAP Air Portugal chief executive officer, Antonoaldo Neves said: “The A321LR is critical for TAP’s expansion plans. With its superior range we can comfortably explore markets in North America, South America and Africa from Portugal, and it’ll fit in seamlessly with our A330neos.”
“In North America it allows us to explore markets on the East Coast, such as New York, Boston, Montreal or Washington. In Brazil the A321LR can open new markets in the Northeast and complement existing services to cities like Recife, Natal, Fortaleza or Salvador,” he added.
“The aircraft are equipped with the latest generation full flat business class and high comfort economy seats, a full suite of IFE and connectivity as well as free messaging services.”
TAP operates an Airbus fleet of 75 aircraft comprising five A330neo, 13 A330ceo,4 A340s, and 45 A320 Family aircraft. The single-aisle fleet includes 21 A319ceo, 20 A320ceo, four A321ceo, two A320neo and six A321neo.
The A321LR has garnered more than 6,500 orders by more than 100 customers. Airbus said it delivers 30 per cent fuel savings and nearly 50 per cent reduction in noise footprint compared to previous generation competitor aircraft.
