Most Flexible 100-seater Aircraft Airbus A318 Makes Debut In Helsinki

Today Airbus showcased the most flexible 100-seater aircraft, the Airbus A318, at Helsinki-Vantaa airport. The A318 is the newest member of the Airbus single-aisle A320 Family, comprising the A318 (107 seats), A319 (124 seats), A320 (150 seats) and A321 (185 seats). The A318 combines unmatched efficiency, comfort and range thus providing airlines with the most flexible solution in the 100-seater market .
Commonality

As a member of the Airbus single-aisle Family of aircraft, the A318 offers unique operational commonality featuring the same flight decks, systems and fly-by-wire flight controls as all other Airbus aircraft in the same family. This allows pilots and cabin crews, as well as maintenance engineers, to switch easily from one aircraft type to another with only minor training. Airlines thus benefit from having only one pool of crews, which could be used to fly different missions on-board different Airbus aircraft. Furthermore airlines can save money by using common sets of spare parts. This leads to an unmatched flexibility as airlines can easily switch aircraft types depending on the demand and mission.
Comfort
With the widest cabin in its class, the A318 offers top-of-the-range comfort, providing passengers with wider seats and wider aisles while preserving the best economics on regional routes. Bigger overhead bins allow passengers to take modern roller-bags on board for a more convenient journey. The A318 offers in addition four full size service doors for quicker, more flexible and more comfortable ground handling and faster turn-around times. Crews benefit from the wider cabin by enjoying a more spacious and friendly working environment.
Capability
As a member of the most modern aircraft family, the A318 has superior operating capabilities and can reach all European capitals from Helsinki. The A318 is the only regional aircraft equipped with CAT IIIB automatic landing as a standard option, enabling the aircraft to land even in difficult weather conditions, which are often prevalent in northern Europe. This supports the airlines’ scheduling reliability, avoids the redirection of passengers and thus helps airlines to operate the aircraft more flexibly on a daily basis.
Environmentally friendly

The A318’s modern technology is key to its environmental friendliness. With its high bypass-ratio engines from CFM international, the A318 is quieter for people living close to airports. It also offers the lowest CO2 emissions and the lowest NoX emissions per seat in its class.Â*

Market leader
The A320 Family is the fastest selling single-aisle aircraft family with nearly 3,100 firm orders, of which almost 2,100 are flying with over 120 operators worldwide.
Airbus is a leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market and globally represented with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain as well as subsidiaries in the U.S., China and Japan. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE Systems.



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