Airline Expands Its All-Airbus Fleet

Spirit Airlines, headquartered in Miramar, FL has taken delivery of the very first A320neo to be delivered to a U.S. customer. It is the first of 50 A320neo Family aircraft the low-cost carrier has ordered. All of Spirit’s A320neo Family aircraft will be powered by Pratt & Whitney Pure Power PW1100-JM engines.

“This state-of-the-art technology will burn less fuel and lower our operational costs,” said Ted Christie, Spirit Airlines Chief Financial Officer. “We continue to lead the industry in both reducing our carbon footprint and providing ultra-low fares on air travel. Spirit is thrilled to be the first carrier to bring this innovation to the U.S.”

“We are proud to have delivered the first A320neo aircraft in the U.S. to our valued customer Spirit Airlines,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer – Customers. “The A320neo Family is the aircraft of choice among the world’s airlines and we appreciate our customers’ confidence in our leading single-aisle Family with its unbeatable productivity and fuel efficiency.”

An all-Airbus fleet helps Spirit maintain an efficient, streamlined operation, offering substantial benefits and consistency to the airline’s in-flight, technical operations and maintenance teams. The A320 Family also offers the most comfortable single-aisle cabin in the sky at a full seven inches wider than competing aircraft, allowing for 18”-wide seats in comfort economy as standard. The Airbus A320neo delivered today is the 89th aircraft to join Spirit’s growing fleet.

The A320neo Family incorporates new generation engines and Sharklets, which the planemaker says together deliver more than 15 percent fuel savings from day one and 20 percent by 2020. With nearly 4,800 orders received from 87 customers since its launch in 2010, the A320neo Family has captured some 60 percent share of the market. Including Spirit’s A320neo delivered today, 26 A320neo aircraft have been delivered to nine operators.

(Image provided with Airbus news release)

FMI: www.airbus.com