FAA certifies A321XLR with P&W GTF engine
December 16, 2024
Following the initial certification of the A321XLR with CFM engines, the Federal Aviation Administration has granted RTX’s Pratt & Whitney GTF powerplant certification to power the type – with the first PW1100G-JM-powered A321XLR to enter service in 2025.
To date, 13 customers have selected GTF (geared turbofan) engines to power 217 A321XLR aircraft. P&W president of commercial engines Rick Deurloo described the certification as “an important milestone for the GTF engine programme,” adding: “A321XLR operators will benefit from GTF’s best-in-class fuel efficiency and the lowest carbon emissions available for single aisle aircraft”.
The CFM LEAP-1A-powered A321XLR initially received European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) type certification in July 2024. At the time, Airbus stated that certification of the Pratt & Whitney engine version was “slated for later in 2024”. FAA certification – granted in October (as reported by the Air Current) but revealed earlier this month – also centred around the same CFM powerplant.
Although plagued by quality control issues (with a defective power metal coating used in certain units necessitating inspection), the GTF nevertheless enables 20% better fuel efficiency compared to the prior generation of engines, explains its manufacturer. To date, more than 2,100 GTF-powered engines have been delivered to over 80 customers worldwide.
The latest member of the A320 family, the A321XLR offers a flight time of up to 11 hours and a range of up to 4,700nm. Spanish flag carrier Iberia became the type’s inaugural operator (using CFM engines) earlier this year, with the inaugural commercial service running between Madrid and Paris.
