On November 9, Peach Aviation unveiled an Airbus A321LR (registration code: JA902P), which it will receive in December 2021, for use on Peach’s first medium-haul international route, the Kansai-Bangkok route to be launched on December 27, Peach’s first international flight with the A321LR. The aircraft will be Peach’s first A321LR to operate an international route.
The A321LR unveiled this time is the latest strategic aircraft introduced by Peach to develop medium-haul overseas routes, and boasts a range of approximately 7,400 km, the longest single-aisle aircraft in the world.
The initial announcement in 2018 was that the introduction of the A321LR would be the first step in the expansion of the medium-haul LCC business into Northeast Asia, but the new coronavirus forced the company to change its plans due to declining passenger demand on both domestic and international flights.
Currently, the company is operating two A321LRs (the first introduced JA902P and the second JA901P), but both are only in operation on domestic routes. However, since the beginning of this fiscal year, passenger demand has been recovering to pre-Corona levels, and since the relaxation of waterfront measures for the new Corona since October, the hurdles for overseas traffic have been lowered. Peach’s first medium-haul international route will be served by an A321LR with full capacity.
The A321LR is the latest derivative of the A320 family developed based on the European Airbus A320neo single-aisle small passenger aircraft, where LR stands for Long Range. It has a range of approximately 7,400 km, the longest single-aisle aircraft in the world.
Peach operates the conventional A320ceo (Current Engine Option: equipped with CFM56 engine) and A320neo (New Engine Option: equipped with CFM LEAP-1AE engine) on domestic and short-haul international routes.
The newly introduced A321LR is powered by the same CFM International LEAP-1A engine as the A320neo. One more A321LR is scheduled to be delivered within this fiscal year, and the conventional A320ceo will be replaced with the A320neo in due course.
Peach’s A321LR has a particular focus on seat pitch, as it “provides a comfortable travel experience with wide legroom. Although the A321 can be increased to a maximum of 236 seats by introducing “Spaceflex,” an optional program offered by Airbus, Peach has kept the number of passenger seats at 218 to allow for more seat pitch.
Representative Director and CEO Takeaki Mori said, “When we introduced the A321LR, we were particular about seat pitch and purposely kept the number of seats to 218. It is not only for medium-haul routes, but also for routes where competition is fierce because of the good seats on board. We are also considering introducing LCCs on short-haul international routes where demand is high,” he said.
The conventional A320ceo has a seat pitch of 28 inches (approx. 71 cm). Peach’s A321LR has a wider seat pitch of 30 to 32 inches (approx. 76 to 81 cm *depending on seat location) and also features seats with a reclining function, the RECARO BL3710.
This is the same level of seat pitch as that of full-service carriers. In consideration of the fact that the aircraft will be introduced on medium-haul routes with long flight times, priority was given to seat comfort. Passenger comfort is ensured. In addition, the seats are equipped with USB Type-A. Passengers can use the in-flight entertainment service while recharging their tablet devices.
The company’s A321LR was the first domestic airline to introduce the A321LR, arriving at Kansai Airport last December 19. Due in part to the suspension of international flights caused by the Corona disaster, it first entered service on December 28, 2021, on a flight from Kansai to Sendai. Since then, it has been operated on domestic flights.
With the launch of the Kansai-Bangkok route on December 27, the A321LR will fly medium-haul routes, its original home. Peach’s A321LR, a spacious and comfortable LCC, may be a game changer that will dispel the image of LCCs as “cheap but cramped.
© Source travel watch
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