The flight
lasted five hours and 29 minutes during which tests were performed on the
engine speed variation (low/high), systems behaviour and to validate the
aircraft’s flight envelope. The A321neo will join the NEO flight test fleet and
perform a partial flight test programme to validate the impact on handling
qualities, performance and systems. The first A321neo will be delivered at the
end of 2016.
The A321neo
is the largest member of the A320neo Family and incorporates many innovations
including latest generation engines, Sharklet wing tip devices and cabin
improvements, which together will deliver up to 20 percent in fuel savings by
2020. The A320neo flight test campaign has accumulated some 1,900 flight hours
in over 640 flights since the first flight on 25th September 2014.