Vietnam low-cost carrier VietJet Air has taken delivery of a high-density Airbus A321 aircraft equipped with 230 passenger seats.

The airline says this is the first A321 equipped with this seat density. The A321 had previously been restricted to 220 seats and central European budget airline Wizz Air will also be taking the high-density A321 later this year.

The carrier adds that the new aircraft, which bears registration VN-A660, brings its total fleet to 26 aircraft. It took delivery of the aircraft at Ho Chi Minh’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

“By welcoming this A321ceo with sharklets into the VietJet family, we can meet our expansion plans,” says carrier managing director Luu Duc Khanh. “We are wholly committed to operating brand new aircraft while continuously upgrading our fleet to bring our passengers greater comfort and maximum convenience when flying with VietJet.”

Flightglobal’s Ascend Fleets database indicates that this is VietJet’s third A321, and is managed by AWAS. The carrier’s other two aircraft are managed by AWAS and Jackson Square Aviaton, and have 200 seats.

FlightMaps Analytics indicates that VietJet deploys the type on two of Vietnam’s key trunk routes: Ho Chi Minh City-Hanoi and Hanoi-Danang.

At the Paris air show in June, AWAS stated that VietJet would take two additional A321s from it. The carrier also announced orders for six additional A321s.

Aside from the three A321s, VietJet operates 23 A320s, and has orders for 51 more.

Source: Cirium Dashboard