China Airlines took delivery of the first of its 25 A321neo aircraft on 29 November, with efficiency features that mean it will serve the majority of the airline’s regional routes.
The fuel efficiency of the A321neo is 15 to 20% better than that of the airline’s previous generation of narrowbody aircraft, with the noise footprint and NOx emissions reduced by up to 75% and 50% respectively, compared to the outgoing fleet.
Cargo operations are very important to China Airlines, so a Cargo Loading System was specified for the belly hold of the A321neo, which uses pallet containers for faster and safer cargo handling. The belly hold can be configured for bulk cargo or for greater flexibility, depending on local airport requirements. The A321neo aircraft is expected to provide 10 to 20% more cargo capacity than the airline’s outgoing narrowbodies.
The A321neo cabin designs have a focus on contactless service and enhanced epidemic suppression measures, as well as comfort upgrades. Let’s take a look inside…
A stylish entrance to the A321neo. The finishes echo those created by Ray Chen for China Airlines’ 777-300ER and A350 fleets. Beyond the curtain, the A321neo is configured with 180 seats: 12 in Premium Business Class and 168 in Economy ClassChina Airlines opted for fully-flat seats for Premium Business Class, using a model initially developed for widebody aircraftThe seats in Premium Business Class have been specified with adjustable extra-height partitions, both for privacy and to add a Covid-safety measure between neighbouring seatsThe 2-2 layout in Premium Business Class involves a step-over for the window passengers to access the aisleThe A321neos will fly on routes of up to seven hours from Taipei. The 15.6in IFE displays will help while away the hours, as will the high-speed inflight wi-fi service (available to all passengers)The 168-seat economy class cabinThe economy seats have been trimmed in fresh colours to enhance the feeling of light and space in the cabinStowage options in the economy class seatbacks. In a first for the domestic airline industry, smart link support has been introduced by China Airlines. All passengers can now connect to the inflight entertainment system via their personal mobile phone and Bluetooth headphonesThe 13.3in 4K IFE displays in economy class include picture-in-picture multi-processing functionality. Passengers can access the flight map, catering and other services at the same timeOther features of China Airlines’ A321neo include contactless, sensor-activated taps in the lavatories to reduce the risk of cross-infection. The HEPA air filtration system also replaces the air inside the cabin every 2 to 3 minutes
Ever since his first flight on a TriStar, Adam has loved air travel, and since becoming editor of the Aircraft Interiors International brand he has really enjoyed the opportunity to be involved with the latest aircraft and airline products before they are even launched. Adam co-ordinates the running of the magazine, from commissioning articles and artwork, to ensuring that high standards of quality are maintained, as well as managing online content. Adam is proud to sit on the jury of the Crystal Cabin Awards and to have laid on the bed in Etihad's Residence.
