The flight of approximately 2.5 hours – flying over Southern France before landing in Toulouse – commences the rigorous A320neo flight test program to pave the way for this jetliner type’s planned service entry with Qatar Airways in the fourth quarter of 2015.
The A320neo – which also is offered with CFM International’s LEAP-1A powerplant – is the latest evolution in Airbus’ single-aisle family, bringing operators better efficiency and comfort. Along with new engines, the NEO product line incorporates Airbus’ fuel-saving Sharklets wingtip devices and the latest cabin innovations to deliver per seat fuel burn improvement of 20 percent by 2020.
Visit Airbus’ dedicated A320neo page: aircraftfamilies/passengeraircraft/a320family/spotlight-on-a320neo/