Airbus appears to be intending to lift the A321neo’s potential capacity to 240 passengers, up from a previous figure of 236.
The airframer had already laid out plans to offer a reconfigured cabin and door arrangement on the type which is currently restricted to a 220-seat maximum.
Combining an extra overwing exit and a new space-saving aft cabin would give the A321 the ability to accommodate 236 seats.
But a recent Airbus Group investor presentation detailing the A321neo states that the type will have “up to 240 seats”, and places the twinjet in the 185- to 240-seat bracket.
The presentation also confirms the airframer’s plans to raise the A320’s accommodation to 189 seats.
Flightglobal revealed last year that Airbus was studying a 189-seat configuration on the type, although the manufacturer had not indicated the nature of any modifications.
The presentation indicates that 31 rows of six-abreast seats – a total of 186 – can be achieved by combining forward seats at a 29in pitch with aft seats at 28in pitch, and installing the Space-Flex rear galley and lavatory unit.
This also frees space for the aft inclusion of another three seats and a cabin attendant station, bringing overall seating to 189.
Modifications on both types to increase their capacity are subject to certification approval.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
