US Airways orders more A321s

US Airways Group has placed a new firm order for seven A321-200 model aircraft. It has simultaneously converted eight pre-existing A320 Family orders (for seven A319s and one A320) to eight A321s. The airline has not yet announced its engine selection for these aircraft. Each of the 15 new A321s will accommodate 183 passengers in two classes.

"Our customers and our crew have for many years reacted well to our A320 Family aircraft," said US Airways Chairman, President and CEO Doug Parker. "With our growing customer base and newly merged route structure, paired with our priorities of comfort and economy, these A321s will suit our needs very well."

"US Airways was our very first U.S. airline customer for the A321, following much success with other variants of the A320 Family," said Christian Streiff, Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer. "For an airline to come back for more of an aircraft that, for them, was a new experience, is a great vote of confidence for the integrity of the Airbus product line."

Firm orders for the A320 Family - consisting of the A318, A319, A320 and A321 - currently stand at nearly 4,500 aircraft from 162 customers.

The recently merged US Airways and America West fly the largest fleet (205) of Airbus aircraft in the world, including single-aisle and widebody aircraft.

Airbus is a joint EADS company with BAE Systems.

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