Some new planes could permit airlines to offer some new routes for frequent flyers. Thanks to the introduction of new Airbus aircraft, a couple of airlines may soon be exploring uncharted territory — at least, for them. Both Hawaiian Holdings and JetBlue Airways are celebrating the release of the Airbus A321neo and the upcoming Airbus A321LR, both of which boast impressive ranges that are capable of taking passengers of these two companies farther than ever before.
For the Hawaiian airline, fuel efficiency is key as it looks to transport vacationers and islanders alike from West Coast cities to the island paradise. The A321neo serves this purpose perfectly, boasting “hundreds of miles of additional range” when compared to previous generations, which ought to make a trip to and from Hawaii a breeze for pilots and passengers. Apparently, Hawaiian Airlines is of the opinion that this new plane will provide “the lowest unit costs of any airplane for West Coast-Hawaii flights,” establishing this company as the airline of choice for travelers looking to cut down on both time and cost.
And despite the fact that the A321neo is a smaller plane, its nimble size will allow for new routes for the airline. In fact, reports note, Hawaiian Airlines will be able to offer nonstop service to Maui and the other islands instead of flying exclusively to Honolulu. And other West Coast cities could soon be on the itinerary as well. “The new technology Airbus A321neo offers includes range optimization as well as reduced fuel consumption and carbon emissions, resulting in a very cost-effective aircraft option for Air Arabia’s widespread route network,” noted Alex Khatibi, executive vice president of Air Lease Corporation.
As for JetBlue, its interest in a new Airbus lies in flying across a different ocean — the Atlantic. It’s looking into the A321LR, described as “a longer-range version of the A321neo that Airbus will start delivering in 2019.” This plane would let JetBlue continue to expand throughout European cities, where its presence is currently a bit weaker. But the hope is that these new planes and their associated benefits will help JetBlue provide service to some of Europe’s largest cities.
So get excited, travelers. It looks like increased choice when it comes to your longer flights is just on the horizon, and it’s all thanks to more fuel efficient planes from Airbus.
