History: Airbus A320

The Airbus A320 is a narrow-body jet airliner built by Airbus. The 320 model was introduced in March 1984 and first flew on 22 February 1987. It was the first model of the A320 family. This aircraft family includes the Airbus A318 Airbus A319 Airbus A320 and the Airbus A321.
The Airbus A320 was among the pioneers of the use of digital fly-by-wire flight control systems in civilian and commercial aircrafts.

Development

Background

Production

Design

Technology

Operational Service

The Airbus A320 received its type certificate on the 26th of February 1988 from the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA). Air France was the first airline to introduce the A320 into commercial operation.

Competitors

Although it was designed to compete with the Boeing 737 and the McDonnel Douglas MD80/MD90 series, the only real competitor today for the Airbus A320 is the Boeing 737 Next Generation. As of March 2010 the Airbus A320 is the best and fastest selling aircraft in the world with 4200 units built and an additional 2300 on order. The Boeing 737 has been produced in larger numbers but it has entered service almost 20 years earlier then the Airbus A320. Another point in favor of the Airbus A320 is that it has a bigger number of outstanding orders then the Boeing 737

A320 Enhanced

Deliveries

Accidents

• 15 January 2009 - US Airways Flight 1549. The incidents which involves an A320 en route from from New York La Guardia LGA KLGA to Charlotte Douglas International CLT KCLT. The aircraft hit a flock of birds and lost both engines in the process. The pilot decided to ditch the plane in the frozen Hudson River. All the passangers and the whole crew survived.

Specifications

Further reading

Characteristics
Role:	Narrow-body jet airliner	Manufacturer:	Airbus	Unit cost:	$73.2m to $80.6m
First flight:	22 february 1987	Introduced:	28 march 1988	Status:	active service
Number built:	4225 (march 2010)	Primary users:	Air France US Airways United Airlines EasyJet Wizz Air	List of Airbus A320 by registration number