The Airbus A320 vs A321: What Plane Is Best?

The A320 was the aircraft that caused European planemaker Airbus to become a household name in commercial aviation. Before it even took flight, the short and medium-haul jet had already amassed over 400 orders and it’s only skyrocketed since. We can compare this to the first Airbus type, the A300, which only had 15. The Airbus A320 series would quickly become a leading product for the company and a staple with airlines worldwide.

Only one year after the launch of the A320, Airbus announced a stretched derivative of the now-classic aircraft - the A321. Let's take a look at the two siblings side-by-side and see how they compare to each other. For the purpose of this video, we have the classic A320 and the A321 facing off against each other. However, we will also examine the new versions that have hit the market (the 'neo', or new engine option). While certain models at first glance seem quite clearly to come out on top, it depends a little bit on airline preference and what they intend to use them for. So, let’s get started!

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[springbreak]

The a318 and the a319 will disappear from the airfields. The a220 and the eventual enlarged variant will make them better for most airlines. Only "smaller" airlines with an a320 fleet, which still need small aircraft, will acquire a few a319s. Anyone with larger capacities will switch to the a220 family.

[magnustan]

The A321neo is almost the perfect plane, the platform is so flexible, it can accommodate almost many people in a comfortable configuration as a small widebody and can fly so far. From an avgeeks perspective, i prefer photographing the stretched airplane, she looks better in my photos, especially with the sharklets fitted. The black visor of the neo takes things up a notch. The 737 MAX still offers my favourite narrowbody experience, but for airlines, not much can beat the A321neo.

[chrismckellar]

My preference is the A321neo. I see the A321neo and lessor extent the A321xlr being the main stay of the A320/A321 fleets due to its flexibility. The beauty of the A321, airlines can add the A220 variants or the A320neo and A321 can lead into either the A330neo variants or the A350 variants. Boeing doesn't have this 'mix & match' product range capability like Airbus has.

[aidanzacharyguzman]

For me, it is very hard to choose between the former and the latter, because they are both here in the Philippines. But the A321 is on my bucket list of aircraft to take, as so far I only fly on A320s.

[ABCD-THCSCHUVĂNAN]

flying vietnam airlines a321 ceo is a fantastic experience for me. The platform is so flexible, it can accommodate almost many people in a comfortable configuration as a small widebody and can fly so far. I love it

[fatmaninthesun]

I recently flew BA A320 in business class. Exactly the same seats as tourist class, 3 x 3. Only worth the extra because of avoiding long ‘Disney’ lines at check in and the use of their lounges.

[airplanes_anime_kpop_fan]

First of all, this was a great video. Second of all my more preferable aircraft between the A320, A321, A320ceo, A321ceo, A320neo, A321neo and A321XLR are the A321neo and A321XLR

[anasmaaz]

The A321 is advantageous if you want to carry more cargo as it can fit in 3 extra ULDs in its cargo holds when compared to the A320. So, for instance, if an airline has a route with a typical A320 passenger load but a lot of cargo, then the A321 becomes a great investment.

[greensoba]

Comparisons have to also be done in the context of competition, and from the perspective the A321neo stands on top as the 737 MAX 9 and MAX 10 could never put up serious competition due to airframe limitations at that segment of the market. The 737 MAX 8, however, competes strongly with the A321neo because Boeing sized it precisely at the point where it carried slightly more passengers while having similar fuel burn as it is a fundamentally smaller airframe.

[neilpickup]

Unfortunately, the A318 was a bit of a disappointment, but not for the reasons usually given.

It was intended to be classified as a 'Regional Jet' with all the financial advantages of that classification to offset against the inefficiencies of a shrink. It would have offered 'full size' comforts to the regional market, and allowed airlines to have commonality between their regional and main A320 series fleets, along with the significant savings from that.

Unfortunately for Airbus, the A318 failed to get that classification, so a significant part of its raison d'être evaporated, consequently, there it little reason for a neo version.

As for the remaining 319/320/321, I think it is more to do with horses for courses. If you are a 320 series operator (ie easyJet) fleet commonality may well work better for you than for example including A220s or even aircraft from other manufacturers in your fleet.

Size matters, and if you run routes where you rarely fill an aircraft, having a longer variant, regardless of its per seat cost, will hurt your bottom line, unless of course you require the additional range of a long range version when different considerations apply.

As for writing off the A319neo, while I would not expect it to sell as well as it's larger brothers, until the younger A319ceos, come up for renewal, we cannot be sure. As for being a failure, it only has to sell enough to cover its development costs to be justified, and could be considered a success even if it only sells as many in hundreds as it's bigger brothers do in thousands.

Having flown in A319/A320/A321s within the same group, I didn't notice any significant differences with the 'at seat experience', however, I have a strong preference for the A319 with its quicker passenger loading, and fewer suitcases (and their owners!) at the carrousel.

[carsten]

I already flew the A319-100, A320-200, A321-100, A321-200, A320neo and A321neo with Cabin Flex Option.
And I must say. The best one ist the A319-100 with just one overwings exit 🔥

[SJF]

I'm flying LGW to JFK with jetBlue on the A321, first time flying a narrow body across the pond. Hopefully it'll be okay.

[ericjones]

The A321s are definitely my favorites 💙💙💙

[finncunningham]

You should do a Embraer E2 vs Airbus A220 comparison video!

[gteixeira]

It is hard to call either better, given that both are selling. Each one has its own niche where they are the best.

[rayanaltowayan]

I think the A321XLR will be the future 🤙🏼

[irenastevancevic]

I prefer A320neo.Bautiful aircraft and very, very quiet.

[donnerhase]

My favourite airplanes are Airbus A321 and A220

[tickedoffsheikh]

Excellent content...my first time viewing this channel. Anyways, I would like for you to do a cockpit and cabin comparison of A320 and A321- neo Vs A320 and A321- ceo. Thanks

[mariachrzski]

I have only flown on the A319, 320 and 321 ceos. I absolutely adore the A321!