Airlines with a high level of service are trying to do air travel as comfortable as possible. However, flying is still quite a tiring thing. That’s why it’s so important to choose the right seats in the cabin. One of the most popular aircraft currently used to transport passengers over long distances is the Airbus 320. The interior layout of both models (320-100 and 320-200) looks approximately the same. Currently only the second model is in operation. The developers abandoned the first one for technical reasons. But first things first.
History of creation
Narrow-body aircraft for short and medium-haul airlines. Airbus company began development of the A320 after the success of the A300. The main features of the new product were a digital cockpit and an EDCS (remote control system). Instead of mechanical instruments in front of the pilots’ eyes, already in 1988 all flight data was displayed on a cathode-ray screen. The third innovation is the use of sidesticks instead of steering wheels. These side handles were directly connected to the aircraft's control apparatus. Any movement on the sidesticks was instantly processed by on-board computers and put into action. High level automation made it possible to limit the number of crew to two pilots. For the same reason, this model is actively used by Aeroflot.
Airbus 320, the interior diagram of which is presented below, has a length of 37.59 m, a height of eleven meters, and a maximum width of thirty-four meters. With a maximum load of one and a half hundred people, the airliner can cover a distance of six thousand kilometers. The difference in modifications affected the quantity seats. The two-class model is designed for 150 passengers, and the one-class model is designed for one hundred and eighty.
Airbus 320 aircraft: updated interior layout
The A320 has a number of advantages compared to other airliners: large shelves for hand luggage in a spacious cabin, wide hatches for loading luggage and a large cargo deck. In the early 2000s, the cladding panels in the cabin were changed, FAPs were made with touch screens, the volume of shelves for hand luggage increased by eleven percent, LED individual lighting and the ability to adjust the brightness of the cabin appeared. In addition, computer logistics were updated, cathode-ray screens were replaced with LCD displays. For these reasons, as well as due to its relatively low cost, the Airbus is very popular in the world.
Production
Parts from various factories are supplied to Toulouse for final assembly of the A320. In 2007, German managers achieved the transfer of production to Germany. Production capacity is forty-two units per month, in KRN - fifty aircraft per year. Some parts supplied with the A320 release allows Airbus Industrie to compensate for losses associated with the production of the A380. But the company incurs losses due to the difference in exchange rates. Payment for equipment occurs in dollars, and production is concentrated in the Eurozone. The successful model served as the basis for the development of the A321, A319 and A318.
Airbus 320: interior diagram
Aeroflot names the best seats on the plane as follows: A, B, E, F in the fourth row and B, C, D, E in the eleventh. General rules seat selection - standard. Before purchasing a ticket, familiarize yourself with the aircraft layout diagram from booklets that can be purchased at the ticket office. “Good” tickets sell out quickly, so it’s better to arrive early for registration. It is better not to purchase places in the tail, near the galleys and toilets. When purchasing, be guided by your taste: if you are going to sleep the whole trip, it is better to choose a place near the wall, and if you are admiring the clouds, then by the porthole. These are two different concepts. Study the brochures carefully.
The Airbus 320 200, the interior diagram of which is presented below, includes twenty-five rows of five or six seats each. The first five rows are dedicated to business class. The distance between the rows in this model is quite limited. The first row has its own characteristics:
- business chairs have a large angle of inclination, you can easily recline the back without hitting anyone;
- Passengers with small children rarely fly business class, although the entire cabin is equipped with mounts for baby bassinets;
- Business class passengers will not have dedicated legroom.
Economy Class Features
The sixth row is located in front of the partition of the Airbus 320 airliner. The interior diagram demonstrates this in detail. The seat pitch in economy class is even smaller. But passengers in a separate row do not have to worry that someone will recline their seat on them. If you don’t take magazines with you on the road, you’ll always have to admire the wall in front. Since this is the first row of economy class, service begins from there.
The eighth row is close to the emergency exit. Therefore, the seat backs are very limited in movement. Passengers in the ninth row will face the same problem. Places A and F can be beveled. But, thanks to the large distance between the rows, passengers can sit comfortably with their legs stretched out. If one of your neighbors needs to go out, they can do so without disturbing you.
The first nine seats B and E do not have porthole access. They are located in the middle of the row. Passengers from seats C and D can quickly leave them at any time without disturbing their neighbors. But flight attendants with trolleys and other flight participants may be in the way when they move along the aisle in the Airbus 320 100 model.
The interior layout is designed in such a way that the best economy class seats are in the tenth row: B, C, D and E. Passenger comfort is achieved by easily reclining seats and large legroom. But hand luggage will have to be placed under your feet, since there is no space under the seats for it. This situation will make access to escape hatches difficult. It is better not to buy tickets for the ninth and tenth rows for passengers with children and the elderly. The safest seats on this plane are in the fourth and eleventh rows, as they are located next to the emergency exits.
Other interior features
The outer seats of the twenty-fourth row can be very uncomfortable due to their close proximity to the toilet stalls. It is worth preparing in advance for a constant crowd of people around the seats. The seats in the last, twenty-fifth row are considered the most uncomfortable on the plane. In addition to the smell from the toilet, constant movement, the sound of the tank draining and slamming stall doors, people sitting in the last row will not be able to recline their chair back.
Even the tallest passengers may feel uncomfortable on this plane. This is due not only to turbulence, but also to the technical nuances of the airliner. However, despite these shortcomings, the A320 model is one of the most successful in the world. More than four thousand cars have already been produced, seven more are being prepared for launch.
Development prospects
Although the A320 made its first flight a quarter of a century ago, the aircraft is constantly being modernized. Currently, developers are working on installing new engines that will save fuel by fifteen percent, as well as increase the flight range by 950 km or the payload by two tons. The Airbus 320, whose interior layout is practically no different from its predecessor, received the prefix neo- (new engine options) in its name. According to the company's general director, the new equipment will reduce operating costs by 20%. is preparing for release in 2016. And in just 15 years, Airbus production plans to sell 4,000 units. 670 orders have already been collected for total in a thousand units. In Russia, the first customer was the airline Transaero.
Summary
The most comfortable aircraft for long flights today is the Airbus 320. The cabin layout, studied in detail before purchasing a ticket, allows you to determine a comfortable place for the flight. The overall impressions of the time spent on the plane depend on this. No. 4 (A, B, E, F) and No. 11 (B, C, D, E) are the safest seats on the Airbus 320 airliner. The S7 interior diagram demonstrates this in detail.
When choosing tickets on short and medium-haul airlines, you will probably see that the carrier uses the Airbus A320 . These narrow-body airliners are in the fleets of Aeroflot, Ural Airlines and foreign companies. But for maximum convenience, you need to choose the right seats. Understand the intricacies to make your trip enjoyable!
Development of the Airbus A320 aircraft
When Airbus began developing the A300 in the late 1960s and first half of the 1970s, it marked the beginning of a new family of aircraft. It was supposed to compete with Boeing and Douglas. The engineers set the task of maintaining the dimensions, but improving the ergonomics and varying the passenger capacity.
The projects that later formed the basis of the design were presented back in 1977. In February 1981, development continued. Airbus collaborated with Delta Air Lines: the carrier wanted to get an aircraft with 150 passenger seats. According to plans, for a distance of 3,440 km, the aircraft was supposed to consume only the fuel in the wing tanks. And since high-capacity airliners were in demand, models with 154 and 172 seats were initially taken into development. The plans were later abandoned and an aircraft capable of carrying 162 passengers was produced. The current A320-100 and A320-200 models (they accommodate up to 180 passengers) retain differences in tank capacity, take-off weight and wingtips, but for travelers there are no significant differences.
Final certification took place in 1988, and since then, based on the original version, the A318, A319 and A321 models have been released.
Design features of the Airbus A320: what to consider
The aircraft is a low-wing aircraft - in such models the wing passes through bottom part fuselage. For an aircraft produced in the 80s, it was equipped with technical innovations:
- Cathode-ray screens were installed in the cockpit instead of mechanical dial instruments. These were later replaced by LCD variants.
- Instead of standard steering wheels, pilots use sidesticks. Their actions are processed by computers. Then they transmit commands to hydraulic drives, which carry out the necessary movements. The technology is called Fly by wire. Thanks to this feature, the number of pilots was reduced to 2.
- Passengers will appreciate the comfortable cabin, equipped with shelves for oversized hand luggage. The peculiarities of the liners include the width of the hatches through which luggage is loaded.
- The aircraft is equipped with V250 engines, so during takeoff the noise level does not exceed 82 dB. Silence during operation and power are the distinctive features of such engines.
In the 2000s. The designers have introduced improvements:
- interior cladding panels were replaced;
- the volume of shelves where you can put luggage was increased by 11%;
- an information panel with a touch screen appeared;
- Additional lighting was installed above the places where passengers sit.
The manufacturer also updated computers and improved data processing efficiency.
The percentage of composite materials used in construction has also been increased. It makes up more than 20%, and plastic reinforced with glass fiber or carbon fiber is used. As a result, take-off weight and fuel consumption are reduced, which affects the price of tickets.
Technical characteristics of the Airbus A320
Airbus 320 - flight throughout Europe
Initially, aircraft assembly was carried out in France. But demand for the A320 model was growing, so it was necessary to open additional production in Germany and China. Airbus intends to increase the number of aircraft produced to 42 per month. After all, airliners are some of the most comfortable in civil aviation. They are used on flights in Europe, Asia, throughout the United States, as well as for transcontinental flights.
Airbus A320 cockpit
For those wishing to fly on an Airbus A320, photos of the interior will give them an idea of its appearance. But the cabin is no less interesting, although you won’t see it during the flight.
All components are arranged ergonomically, so the layout has become the standard for Airbus airliners. If you compare the appearance and placement of instruments with solutions from a competitor, Boeing, the main difference will be orderliness.
In the photo you see the following:
- in the upper part there is a visor of the instrument panel;
- to the left and right there are instrument panels with which the captain and co-pilot operate;
- in the middle part there is a central panel, below it there is a central console.
Instead of a steering wheel, the captain and co-pilot of the Airbus A320 use sidesticks. In this case, the crew member, before taking control, warns: “I have controls,” and presses the orange button. After that, only his sidestick works.
What does the joystick look like on an Airbus A320
The pilot's seats are ergonomic; they are adjustable not only according to the “closer - further” principle. Pilots set the backrest position and height to ensure maximum seating comfort. The design of the chairs is thought out to the details: you will not see any sharp protruding corners. The cockpit also has a retractable table, oxygen masks for pilots, a fire extinguisher and even a glove compartment for documents.
Have you ever wondered whether it is convenient for a pilot to fly an airplane with his left hand? Aviation experts claim that it’s all a matter of habit.
Video: Airbus A320 - flight from the cockpit
Seat arrangement, seat numbering and cabin layout of the Airbus A320
Several variations are used in the interior layouts, but each is comfortable for passengers. 4-, 5- and 6-bed occupancy is possible, and it is determined by the selected class. You will see 4-seat rows in business class, and 6-seat rows in economy class.
Numbering starts at the head of the aircraft, with business class seats located at the front. According to passenger reviews, the distance between the seats is enough to place luggage and sit comfortably.
The Airbus A320 business class has plenty of legroom
Airbus A320: the best seats and features of their choice
Look for cheap tickets for any type of transport without leaving your home:
With all the comfort Airbus cabin The A320 has its pros and cons in different locations. For example, if you choose a window position, you will be able to admire the views. But you won’t be able to go to the toilet without disturbing your neighbors. But you won’t be disturbed by scurrying flight attendants.
If you choose an aisle seat, going to the toilet will not be difficult. But you will have to let your neighbors through when they want to go out. You won’t be able to look at the landscape through the window (if you are afraid of flying, this will be a plus).
Which row to choose seats in?
The comfort of travel is also determined by the row you choose to sit in:
Airbus diagram A320
- Passengers sitting in the 1st row receive food and drinks faster. You don't have to worry that the passenger sitting in front will recline his back and leave you no room. You will also be one of the first to leave the plane. But there are some drawbacks: not everyone likes to look at the wall in front of them during a flight. And the tables, usually attached to the back of the front seat, are located in the armrests. Because of this, they do not move, and the width of the space decreases. But the main disadvantage is that passengers with children fly here.
- The 12th and 13th rows of the Airbus A320 are located next to the emergency exits. As a result, passengers will have more legroom. True, the backrests of the 12th row seats recline less than standard ones, or are completely fixed.
TO worst options include places in the tail: the proximity of the toilet and kitchen will not bring pleasure. The backrests most likely do not recline, like those of the seats that are located directly in front of the emergency exits.
The information is based on a 180-passenger model and a single-class cabin.
Don't forget that cabin layouts on A320 aircraft may vary, so make allowances for the specifics of the carrier company. If you fly with Aeroflot, the situation is a little different! Pay attention to the nuances so as not to make a mistake.
The best seats at Aeroflot
When flying on an Aeroflot airliner, the best seats are in business class. Compared to the layout of the A330, the seat spacing in the A320 is smaller, but you'll be seated comfortably. The interior diagram will help determine the location in the A320.
Airbus A320 diagram at Aeroflot
If the cost of business class does not suit you, pay attention to the following nuances:
- The seats in row 6 are good, but they are behind a partition.
- The 8th row turns out to be worse than the standard seats, since the backrests do not recline due to the proximity of the emergency exits.
- The 9th row has both pros and cons. You won't be able to recline the backrest, but there is enough legroom. Not everyone likes places A and F, because they are close to emergency exits.
- 10A and 10F on the Airbus A320 will not cause complaints about lack of space or a fixed backrest. But they are located next to the emergency exit, so they do not have 1 armrest. The remaining seats in the 10th row are classified as superior comfort. But there are restrictions: you cannot place hand luggage under your feet and block the aisles. Tickets for these seats are not sold to passengers with animals or children, as well as people with disabilities. disabilities. After all, the proximity of the emergency exit means that you will not prevent others from leaving the aircraft cabin.
- 24C and 24D are also not very comfortable. They are located at the end of the salon, near the aisle, so people will scurry past on their way to the toilet.
Before purchasing tickets, check the layout of the aircraft cabin. After all, Aeroflot uses 2 variants of the Airbus A320: the differences lie in the number of business class seats.
On Ural Airlines
The airline reserves rows 1-3 for business class, where it is always convenient. Seats from the 4th row are standard economy class; The only difference is the 9th, where, due to the proximity of emergency exits, the backrests cannot be reclined. Check the details when purchasing a ticket!
Airbus A320 interior diagram: “ Ural Airlines»
In the 10th row, the movement of the backs is also limited, but there is enough legroom. A the best option will become the 11th row, although there is no armrest on A and F.
On S7 flights
S7 Airlines operates 18 aircraft of the model in question. There are 2 classes in the cabin: business for 8 seats and economy for 150. If you choose the latter option, then food service will start from the 3rd row. This means that passengers sitting at the back of the plane may not get the hot food they want.
Airbus A320 cabin layout on S7 flights
In business class they offer separate meals, often individual. It consists of 2 rows, the 3rd is economy, located near the partition. The best seats are in the 11th, although there are restrictions: the passages to the emergency doors cannot be blocked with luggage.
On the Red Wings and Yamal
The Red Wings company uses the A321 models - the embodiment of new developments in the A320 family:
- There are 7 rows allocated for business class.
- The 8th will please you with the presence of space that allows you to stretch your legs. There are no problems with choosing a hot dish.
- If you are lucky enough to buy tickets for seats in the 20th, there will be no complaints about convenience.
There are also airliners of the A320 type in the fleet of the Yamal carrier: 2 rows are occupied by business class, and the best budget seats are in the 11th row.
The worst seats on the Airbus A320
The worst seats are traditionally those on the side in the penultimate row and everyone in the last. Location plays a role, but the fact that after landing you can still 10 minutes. do not leave the chair. You will be able to get off the plane only after letting all the passengers pass.
But if you prefer to do without neighbors, then keep in mind that the seats in the back of the plane are booked last.
Other nuances: economy class cabin details
You should choose seats on the Airbus A320 taking into account your preferences and flight conditions. For example, a location near the toilet is considered uncomfortable. But you won’t have to stand in line if you need to visit the bathroom.
Those who are not afraid of flying and want to get likes for their Instagram photos choose window seats. But you will only be able to admire the views on a daytime flight in sunny weather. If you travel at night, there will be fewer advantages. In addition, in most salons you will not see a panorama from seats 15-20 rows away: it will be blocked by the wing. You just don't have to let your neighbors through when they want to use the restroom. But you won’t be able to get out without disturbing others.
Foreign airlines also offer economy plus tickets, where there is more legroom and access to power outlets.
Passengers who choose seats C and D will get up to use the toilet without having to ask their neighbors to let them through. This option is suitable for parents flying with children. The downside is that you will have to let other travelers through.
If you're traveling with small children, ask for a seat immediately after business class. At Aeroflot they are usually reserved for those flying with a child. This option is not available for online check-in, so get to the airport early: they unlock almost immediately before your flight. Unable to get tickets? When looking for an alternative, do not choose seats near the wing, otherwise you will be disturbed by increased engine noise during the flight.
Are you flying for the first time and don’t understand the intricacies? Ask an airline employee for advice.
Conclusion
The Airbus A320 aircraft is one of the most common models in the world. Although it was released in the 80s. last century, thanks to modernization, the airliner remains comfortable even for long flights. If you choose the right places, you will be satisfied with your trip!
The Russian airline Aeroflot is one of the most reliable, and it operates 169 aircraft various models. The average age of the aircraft fleet is 4.3 years. This is an indication that Aeroflot, among other things, has fairly new aircraft. Of these, the majority, namely 63 aircraft, are airbus a 320. This aircraft is always popular with airlines because of its convenience for passengers and reliability. According to the Aeroflot Airbus A320 scheme, the best seats can be chosen long before purchasing air tickets.
Seat layout from the official Aeroflot website.
Features of the location of seats
Airbus manufacturers offer several configurations of the A320 aircraft. However, Aeroflot Airlines uses 2 of them in its aircraft fleet:
- 20/120
- 8/150
Business Class
There are only 5 rows, each of them has 2 chairs, which are located on both sides of the aisle. On the diagram of the cabin of the Aeroflot Airbus A320 aircraft, you can see that just before the start of business class there are partitions. They have special mounts for baby bassinets, so these are ideal seats for those traveling with a child. In addition, there is a toilet nearby, which is also convenient. However, it is worth considering that in the 1st row the seats do not have a footrest, which may cause some inconvenience.
Business class has very comfortable and wide seats, the backs of which recline so much that you can relax and take a nap during the flight. Behind the last row there is a thin wall that will separate you from economy class. It's not exactly effective against noise, so it might bother you.
Economy class
6th row. In the diagram of the aircraft cabin of the Airbus A320 one of best places are located right here. There is enough distance between the chairs and the wall in front to comfortably place your legs and put your bag. There are special fasteners attached to the partition on which baby cradles are hung. Therefore, there is a high probability that even if you fly without a child, your neighbors may be passengers with babies.
On the other hand, it is from these places that food and drinks begin to be served, so you will get a choice from a full range. But the passengers in the rear will have to be content with what is left.
8th row. These seats are located in front of the emergency exits; for this reason, the seat backs here either will not recline at all, or this ability is very limited.
9th row. The backs of these seats also do not recline, as there is another pair of emergency exits behind them. However, there is enough space in front of the row to comfortably place your feet during the flight. Plus, you won't have to disturb your neighbors if you want to leave your seat. The only caveat is that the seats near the windows may be slightly sloping.
10th row. The seats here are also located near the emergency hatches, but there is a lot of free legroom in front of them, and the backrests recline, making them most comfortable. But the seats near the windows are slightly crooked.
Places near escape hatches have a number of restrictions:
- You cannot place bags on the floor in front of you or under chairs.
- Tickets for these seats are not sold to passengers with animals or children, disabled people, teenagers under 16 years old, or pregnant women.
24th row. The most uncomfortable seats are those located near the aisle, as other passengers will walk past them to go to the toilet, and the flight attendants may hit you with the trolley.
25th row. According to the interior diagram Airbus aircraft industrie a320 jet airline Aeroflot these places are the most uncomfortable. They are located near the toilets. This may lead to the fact that other passengers will disturb you throughout the flight. They can knock on the door and touch you. Also, foreign and unpleasant odors and sounds will be heard from the bathroom. In addition, the seat backs here do not have the ability to fully recline.
In the A320 model aircraft with an 8 by 150 configuration, emergency exits are located in front of rows 12 and 13.
Air travel is the most convenient and only possible way to cross vast distances in a short time. However, traveling by plane is very tiring and it is important to to book a hotel at your place of arrival and choose the right seat in the cabin that will best suit your needs. Undoubtedly, air carriers provide passengers with a seat layout, but to determine which seats on the plane are best to choose, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with useful information about the most popular models of “air trains” that most often fly from well-known airlines.
The largest carrier in the Russian Federation is, of course, Aeroflot, which has filled air space Today's popular Airbus models are 319, 320 and 321. These aircraft differ in modifications, number of seats and their location. Let's look at all the features of each model.
The Airbus 320 project began to be developed back in 1984, when the Airbus consortium decided to create an “air machine” capable of becoming a competitor to the Boeing 727. In 1987, the first tests were carried out and the new aircraft made its first flight.
The location of seats on the Airbus 320 aircraft and their number differs depending on the modification. Today there are both models for 150 passengers (in business class, the seats are arranged in two rows, with two seats each, and in economy class there is a 3+3 layout), and liners for 180 people with a single-class cabin. There are also intermediate modifications, so the seat layout on the Airbus 320 aircraft will be different. Before purchasing a ticket, be sure to check the model of the specific aircraft on which you are going to travel.
If we talk about the best and worst seats in the Airbus 320, we will take as an example a model for 180 passengers (single-class cabin):
- Seats 1 to 29, A and F. These seats are located next to the window. Since these seats are located far from the aisle, flight attendants and other passengers constantly scurrying around will not disturb you.
- 1 to 29, B and E. The seats are further away from the window, but you can still look out of it. They are also at a distance from the passage.
- 1 to 29, C and D. These seats are next to the aisle, and in addition to this, you will have to let two passengers sitting next to each other through. The only advantages are the ability to stretch your legs into the passage and quick access to the toilet.
- 1 row. If we talk about the advantages of these seats, then first of all it is worth noting that since no one is sitting in front of you, they will not recline the back of their seat towards you. The 1st row has first access to drinks and food, and thanks to a decent distance from the seat to the wall, you can stretch out your stiff legs without difficulty. Another advantage is that you will be the first to leave the aircraft. Among the disadvantages is the discomfort associated with the fact that you will have to look at the wall the entire flight. It is also worth noting that it is in the first row that women with small children most often sit; few people like this proximity.
- Rows 12 and 13. These places are considered the safest, as they are located closest to the emergency exit. These rows also have more space, allowing you to retract your legs. However, very often the seats in these areas do not recline.
- 11 row. The seats are located in front of the emergency exit, which is why they are rarely reclining.
- Row 29/30. The most worst places, since they are closest to the toilet and kitchen. Throughout the flight you will “enjoy” the sounds of the tank flushing, slamming doors and other “delights”.
In addition to the Airbus 320, there is also a smaller version of it, the A 319. The aircraft, diagram, best seats and their features will also be useful.
The number of seats on an aircraft of this model may also differ depending on the modification. This figure varies from 124 seats (two-class cabin) to 156 seats (single-class cabin). There are dozens of such configurations. To choose the best places, we recommend paying attention to the following nuances:
- From 1 to 5 row. Most often these are business class seats. There is a little more legroom in the first row, and even very tall people. The backrests in business class recline more than the rest of the plane. But, just like in the A320, mothers with children most often sit in the first rows; for this purpose, there are even special fasteners for baby bassinets.
- 6th row. It’s almost impossible to stretch your legs in this row, but since there will be a wall in front of you, you won’t have to fear that someone will throw the back of the chair back on you. Food starts to be served from row 6, so from the point of view of access to drinks, this location is the most advantageous. But there are also disadvantages - the tables are built into the armrests, which makes the seats a little narrower.
- 7th row. The seats in this row are located in front of the emergency exit.
- Row 8, A and F. Uncomfortable seats that are slightly “skewed” towards the hatch. However, these seats have more legroom.
- Row 8, B,C and D,E. According to statistics, these are the most comfortable and safest economy class seats. They are located closest to the emergency exit and have plenty of legroom. There are restrictions for these seats; passengers with animals, children, people with disabilities and the elderly are not allowed to sit on the seats.
The worst seats are located in the last 21st row, as well as seats C and D in the 20th row. Here, just like in the A320, you will be closer to the toilet, and you will be the last to receive drinks and food.
The A321 model is the largest aircraft of the A320 family; in fact, it is an extended version of it, which is characterized by high capacity. This “air train” has a standard configuration that includes a two-class cabin. The number of passengers is 169 economy class seats and 16 business class seats.
However, you can also find other configurations of the A 321. The aircraft, layout, and best seats may differ depending on the flight range. For example, for charter flights, a modification is made to increase the number of seats to 220 in economy class. To determine which seats are better on an airplane of this model, let’s look at a standard Airbus from Aeroflot.
- From 1 to 7 row. These are business class seats, however, compared to previous models, they are uncomfortable. In front of the 1st row there is a wall separating the toilet, which does not particularly protect against unwanted sounds. Sitting in row 7, you will hear the noisy economy class. Therefore, when traveling in first class, try to choose a seat located from rows 2 to 6.
- 8 row. Drinks are served in economy class from this row. In addition, there is more legroom.
- 18th row. By and large, this row contains standard seats, however, they are located in close proximity to the toilet.
- Row 19 These are seats located behind the emergency exit, so in this row, like in row 8, there is free space. Of the minuses, restrooms, the visitors of which will cause inconvenience.
- 20 row. Very comfortable and good places. Although there is no additional legroom in this area, in row 20 the seats are located close to the windows.
The seats in the penultimate and last row (row 30, C and D, as well as row 31), as in the first two cases, are among the most uncomfortable, due to their close location to the restrooms. It is recommended to choose such seats only in a desperate situation.
In custody
As you can see, the seats on the plane, the layout of which you must study in detail, can be located in different ways. To avoid inconvenience, it is best to choose seats at the front of the plane. Seats near the bathroom are the cheapest, but in this area you will suffer from the noise of the toilet and the queues that will form next to you. The chairs behind the emergency exit can be considered the most comfortable, here you do not risk finding yourself next to a crying child or animals, and there will be enough space for tired legs.
The Airbus A320 is a passenger jet airliner with a narrow fuselage and the first aircraft to use a fly-by-wire control system. It belongs to the short- and medium-haul type. Serial production of the A320 began in 1988. The airliner is extremely popular among airlines. Until 2017, about 8 thousand vehicles were produced, of which 6.5 thousand are still in use.
A320 versions
The first version of the Airbus A320-100 airliner, developed in the 80s of the last century and produced in limited quantities: only 21 aircraft. The fact is that almost immediately the A320-200 model was developed, which became the leading modification of the Airbus. This aircraft is equipped with additional fuel tanks to increase its flight range. Its variations A 320-212, A320-214, A 320-232, A 320-231 did not undergo significant changes in flight characteristics. The updates concerned mainly the internal configuration.
In the early 2010s. As a result of a deep modernization of the A320, the newest ultra-modern Airbus A320neo aircraft appeared, which made its first commercial flight on January 21, 2016 with Lufthansa.
Layout of the passenger cabin of the Airbus A320
Anyone who is about to fly on this Airbus is undoubtedly concerned about the question of what the passenger cabin of the A320 looks like? In its segment, it is distinguished by its spaciousness and roomy niches for storing hand luggage. The cargo deck has a large capacity. The aircraft has different configuration options passenger compartment, which can accommodate up to 180 people inside. However, more often an airbus has two classes of service: business and economic. The business sector can be designed for:
- 8 seats (EasyJet carrier),
- 12 seats (Russia Airlines),
- 20 seats (at Aeroflot).
Thus, the total number of seats can be reduced to 134, and the capacity of the economy sector accordingly to 114.
Airbus A320 passenger cabin diagram
Economy class
Economy seats start in rows 3, 4 or 6. They are located immediately behind the business sector partition. When eating, passengers in these seats use folding tables. The seats are arranged in a “3×3” type. They can have a width of 43.2 cm and 45.7 cm. If the seats are narrow, then the passage between the seats is quite wide and amounts to 63.5 cm. This creates additional convenience for passengers occupying seats on the edge. They will not be touched by people passing by. The economy class cabin has two bathrooms, which are located at the end of the cabin immediately behind the last row.
Business Class
From 1 to 2 (in other configurations there are 3 or 5 rows) there are business seats of the “2x2” type. Wide seats (57 cm), an almost horizontally reclining backrest, and a footrest create comfortable flight conditions for passengers in this class of service. The distance between the rows is more than half a meter, so a passenger who wants to take a nap will not cause any inconvenience to the people sitting behind him, even if he reclines the back of his seat at the maximum possible angle.
Best places
- seats C and D on the Airbus A320-214 are located in close proximity to the toilet;
- Most people are not very pleased to see a wall in front of them (at a distance of 1 -1.5 m) for several hours.
6th row (in other trim levels 3rd or 4th row) - these are the first economy seats. They have larger area for feet, and for passengers traveling with children under 2 years old, this is the most comfortable row because:
- cradles are attached to the wall in front;
- other passengers will not be disturbed here: there is no reclining seat in front, and technical rooms (toilet and kitchen) are located at the end of the plane.
Photos of the salon
The 13th row (10 or 11 in terms of other trim levels) also has additional legroom, since here the seats are located immediately behind the emergency hatch. However, the A320 has two escape hatches, and the second is located directly behind the 13th row, limiting the recline angle of the backrest.
The greatest comfort in the economy class cabin, of course, is found in row 14 seats (11 or 12 in other trim levels). Their legroom is increased due to the emergency hatch, and the reclining angle of the seat is not limited. However, according to existing air transportation safety rules, seats in front of emergency hatches cannot be occupied by children, pregnant women, disabled people and passengers transporting animals.
Main characteristics
Advanced technologies for the end of the last century radically changed the equipment of the A320 airliner:
- In the cockpit, the instrument panel with arrows was replaced by an electronic one, which was equipped with beam displays (then they were replaced by LCD monitors).
- The flight of the A320 aircraft is controlled by convenient side handles instead of a steering wheel. The trajectory set by them is first analyzed by the on-board computer, and only then fed to the steering planes.
- Electrical remote control allowed the aircraft to be flown by a crew of only two pilots, as control of the aircraft became much easier.
The A320 also has other less striking, but still significant characteristics: an increase in the number of doors: 4 passenger exits and the same number of emergency exits.
Design features
The Airbus 320 is a monoplane with a low-swept wing with engines located underneath it.
Capacity, dimensions, weight
A 320 can accommodate 180 passengers, while the maximum payload of the aircraft is 16,600 kg.
The length of this aircraft is 37.57 m, while the length of the passenger cabin is only 27.5 m and the width is 3.7 m. The wing span of the airliner is 34.1 m. They are quite thin and have improved aerodynamics, which contributes to economical fuel consumption and reducing inductive reactance. Aeroflot was the first Russian carrier to operate the A320 with new aerodynamic Sharklets - wingtips.
Its commercial weight also depends to a certain extent on how much the aircraft itself weighs. Thus, the maximum takeoff weight of the A320 is 78 tons, the landing weight is 66 tons, with a low aircraft weight of 42,100 kg.
Flight data
The A320 can reach speeds of up to 890 km/h with a take-off speed of 240 km/h. It is capable of covering distances up to 6150 km at maximum height flight 11900 m, but not every airfield can accept this airbus. Landing strip must correspond to the minimum length of its take-off distance, which is 2090 m. The design of the aircraft assumes fuel consumption at cruising speed (840 km/h) of 2,600 l/h. At the same time, the volume of fuel tanks is 24,210 - 27,200 liters.
The history of the Airbus A320
The Airbus Industry A320 first took to the skies in 1987. It passed tests quickly enough, without any complaints, and was certified. The first customer of the developed airbuses was the famous European airline Air France. And in the early spring of 1988, the A320 airliner made its very first regular flight.
Since then the car has been improved several times. The A320neo is a representative of the new generation of narrow-body long-haul airliners. On September 25, 2014, the a320neo was tested for the first time. By the end of the year the car was certified. This required lifting the airliner into the sky 600 times. The total flight duration was 1,700 hours.
Where is it produced?
Components produced at Airbus factories are transported to Toulouse for final assembly of the A320. In order to financially improve the company, in 2007 the production of the A320 was transferred from France to Germany, and additionally production of these machines was established in China. Also in 2010, an agreement was concluded for the production of components for the airliner at the aircraft plant in Irkutsk.
Cost of different models
How much an Airbus A320 costs depends on the year of manufacture, modification and wear and tear of the car and varies from 65 to 105 million dollars. So board a320-200 2002. with a total flight time of 26,435 hours can be purchased for $70,000,000, and a used modernized A320neo: for $102.8 million. New airliners are much more expensive. For example, the just released a320-214 will cost the buyer $93.9 million or more (specific features only increase the cost of the car), and the a320neo will cost $107.3 million.
Last year, Airbus received a huge number of orders for 1,619 airliners with a total value of $240.5 billion.
News, modernization, prospects
The a320 has a great future. Such airbuses are in demand in the passenger aircraft market. According to a long-term thirty-year forecast made by Boeing, global airlines need 38,050 new aircraft, including 26,730 narrow-body aircraft.
The modern, modernized A320neo of various configurations is especially popular among airlines. And although the fleets of leading companies in the medium-haul aircraft segment are still dominated by A320-200s of all modifications, the future still lies with a new version of this airliner.
Watch a video about the history of the Airbus A320 aircraft
