Airbus A319

Airbus A319
Joao Carlos Medau from Campinas, Brazil · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	Airbus A319
Type	Narrow-body jet airliner
National origin	Multinational
Manufacturer	Airbus
First flight	25 August 1995
Introduction	April 1996 with Swissair
Status	In service
Primary users	American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, easyJet
Produced	1994–present
Number built	Over 1,500 (as of 2023)
Developed from	Airbus A320
Variants	Airbus A319LR, Airbus A319ACJ

Airbus A319 is a member of the Airbus A320 family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger twin-engine jet airliners manufactured by Airbus. The aircraft is a shortened, minimum-change derivative of the Airbus A320, sharing a common type rating with other members of the family, which allows pilots to fly any variant with a single license endorsement. Primarily operated by major carriers and low-cost airlines on domestic and regional routes, it is renowned for its operational efficiency, advanced fly-by-wire flight control system, and the CFM International CFM56 and IAE V2500 engine options.

Development and design

The development of the aircraft was launched in 1993, driven by demand from several key carriers, including ILFC and Lufthansa, seeking a high-capacity aircraft for thinner routes. The design philosophy centered on maximum commonality with the existing Airbus A320 and Airbus A321, utilizing the same fuselage cross-section, wing, and tailplane to reduce development and maintenance costs. Key systems, such as the pioneering fly-by-wire controls and the glass cockpit featuring EFIS displays from Thomson-CSF (now Thales Group), were retained. The primary structural change was the removal of four fuselage frames forward and three aft of the wing, reducing overall length. Engineers at Airbus's facilities in Toulouse, Hamburg, and Broughton collaborated on the program, which received its joint EASA and FAA type certification in 1996.

Operational history

The aircraft entered commercial service in April 1996 with launch customer Swissair. It quickly gained popularity for its ability to serve routes with lower passenger demand while offering the same cockpit and operational procedures as larger family members, a concept known as "fleet commonality." Major adopters included easyJet, which built one of the world's largest fleets, and traditional network carriers like American Airlines, United Airlines, and Lufthansa, which deployed it on hub-feeder and transcontinental routes. The type has been a workhorse for Airbus in competing directly with the Boeing 737-700 in the 100-150 seat market segment. Its operational history is marked by extensive use in demanding, high-cycle short-haul operations across diverse environments, from the busy airports of Heathrow and Atlanta to high-altitude fields in South America and the Himalayas.

Variants

The primary production variant is the A319-100. Specialized versions were developed to extend its capabilities, including the Airbus A319LR (Long Range), which features additional fuel tanks in the cargo hold for extended range operations up to 4,500 nautical miles. The corporate jet version, marketed as the Airbus Corporate Jetliner (ACJ), offers a luxurious, long-range business shuttle configuration and is operated by governments, heads of state, and private clients. A further development, the Airbus A319neo, incorporates new-generation engines from Pratt & Whitney (PW1100G) and CFM International (LEAP-1A), along with Sharklet wingtip devices for improved fuel efficiency.

Operators

The largest commercial operator is the European low-cost carrier easyJet. In North America, major operators include American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines. Other significant global operators are China Southern Airlines, Air China, Air Canada, and Lufthansa. The corporate jet variant (ACJ) is in service with entities like the Royal Australian Air Force, the Czech Air Force, and the German Air Force for VIP transport. Numerous other airlines and leasing companies, such as AerCap and Air Lease Corporation, have included the type in their portfolios, ensuring its widespread global presence.

Specifications (A319-100)

Typical two-class seating accommodates 124 to 156 passengers, with a maximum exit limit of 160. It has a length of 33.84 m, a wingspan of 34.10 m (35.80 m with Sharklets), and a height of 11.76 m. The cabin width is 3.70 m. Power is provided by two CFM International CFM56-5 or IAE V2500-A5 turbofan engines, each producing 98 to 106 kN of thrust. Maximum take-off weight (MTOW) is typically 75,500 kg, with a range of approximately 3,700 nautical miles (6,850 km) for standard models, extendable on the Airbus A319LR. It cruises at a typical speed of Mach 0.78 and has a service ceiling of 39,100–41,000 ft.

Incidents and accidents

The aircraft has a strong safety record within the Airbus A320 family. Notable incidents include the crash of TAM Airlines Flight 3054 in July 2007 at Congonhas Airport in São Paulo, which was attributed to runway conditions and pilot error. In January 2008, British Airways Flight 38 crash-landed short of the runway at London Heathrow Airport due to fuel icing in the Rolls-Royce engines on the Boeing 777, an event that led to safety directives affecting multiple aircraft types. A serious incident occurred in 2006 when Go! Flight 1005 experienced dual-engine flameout over the Pacific Ocean but was able to restart and land safely. The type was also involved in the 2015 disappearance of AirAsia Indonesia Flight 8501, an Airbus A320, highlighting the shared systems and training across the family.

Category:Airbus aircraft