Airbus A 320 is an airplane, photo of which every aviation enthusiast has. Its name hides a family of narrow-body aircraft used for short and medium range flights. This model was originally designed and created to compete with the most popular Boeing 727 aircraft at that time and its improved version of the Boeing 737.
The main emphasis in the development of the airbus was placed on the widespread use of modern digital technologies. The mechanical devices available in the cockpit have been replaced by beam screens. Model A 320 is an aircraft with a more spacious passenger compartment and shelves for increased cabin baggage in comparison with competitors. On airliners manufactured after 2000, instead of beam screens, the installation of LCD displays began. On-board electronics and interior equipment have undergone a major upgrade. The crew consists of only 2 pilots, this was achieved by a high level of automation in control. The aircraft accommodates from 107 to 220 passengers, the number depends on the configuration of the cabin and modifications. The maximum flight range is 4600 - 5500 kilometers.
Aircraft Production History
In 1984, the development of the Airbus A 320 airliner began. The plane took off for the first time from the ground at the end of February 1987. Commercial operation began about a year later (in April 1988).
During this time, 6331 aircraft were produced , and another 11163 the company has an order (November 2014 data). The main assembly line is a factory located in France, the city of Toulouse. Since 2008, assembly has also been carried out in the suburbs of the German city of Hamburg. In 2011, a small assembly line was opened in Tianjin, China.
Aircraft in the fleet of Russian airlines
Most Russian airlines operate Airbus A 320 aircraft. Aeroflot has more than 60 airliners as part of its air fleet. On flights of this company, 2 similar cabin configurations are used. The difference between them in the number of seats in business and economy class.
To figure out where the best / worst places are, we’ll use configuration 1 as an example. Aeroflot Airbus has the majority of its aircraft. For convenience, locations with similar characteristics in configuration 2 are shown in parentheses.
Business Class Seats Airbus A 320
The aircraft, the cabin diagram of which is presented above, has a division into an economy class and a business class.
1-5 (1-2) rows are business class chairs. In this model of air liners, unlike the A 330, there is a limited distance between the rows. The first row has its own distinctive features:
a) Business class chairs have a fairly large angle, and since there are no other seats in front, you can not be afraid that someone wants to recline.
b) They fly infrequently with a small child in business class, but each salon has fixtures for baby cots mounted on a partition in front of the first row. Because of what there is a possibility that there will be children in the adjacent seats.
c) Due to the fact that special footboards are installed in A 320 model airplanes under the seat in front of you, you will not have such convenience.
Economy seats in front of the passenger compartment
Seats in row 6 (6) are in front of the wall. They have a number of advantages and disadvantages:
a) Due to the fact that the space between the rows in the economy class is much smaller than in the business class, this row gives a huge advantage to sitting passengers: no one will recline your seat.
b) This row receives food first, service begins with it.
c) There is not much space to extend your legs, but there is enough space for knees.
d) Each wall is equipped with special mounts for baby cots, quite often small children can keep you company in flight.
e) The wall in front occupies almost the entire view.
Whether to make your choice in favor of these places, decide for yourself.
Economy Seats Near Emergency Exits
Airbus A 320 is an airplane with 4 emergency exits, which affects 3 rows of seats located next to them.
The 8 (12) row is inferior to the other economy seats quite strongly. Due to the proximity to emergency exits, the seatbacks usually do not recline.
9 (13), the row has the same drawback with the limitation of reclining the backs of chairs, but this compensates for the large distance between the rows, which makes it possible to settle down more comfortably, if necessary, stretching out the legs. If one of the neighbors wants to get up, he will be able to get through without causing you concern. Places with edges A and F are slightly inferior to the central ones B, C, D, E as they are often slightly slanted due to the presence of an emergency hatch nearby.
Extreme locations 10A and 10F (14A and 14F) have the same problem, slightly curved due to their proximity to the emergency exit door. However, the backs of these chairs recline without any restrictions and there is a bit more legroom between the rows of seats.
Recommended seats in economy class are located in the same row 10 B, C, D, E (14 V, C, D, E). Convenience for air passengers is achieved thanks to the increased space for your legs (as the seats are located in the passage to the emergency hatch). The backrests can be reclined without restrictions. The only drawback is the fact that you are forbidden to place hand luggage in the legs or under the seats in front, as this makes it difficult to access the emergency exit hatch.
Economy seats in the rear
Seats located at the aisle in row 24 (29) (C, D) are not the most comfortable for passengers due to their close proximity to the toilet cubicles. People will often go by and gather in the aisle by the armchairs.
Seats 25 (30) rows, the last in the cabin, are usually considered the most uncomfortable on board the airliner. Toilets are located behind the wall from them, which brings a lot of inconvenience: the constant walking and crowding of people who want to get into the toilet, a possible smell, as well as the sounds of flushing the drain tank and a loud slamming door. Most often in this row it is impossible to recline the back of the seats.
These are extremely bad places, taking them cost last.
The remaining seats are standard for aircraft of this class and usually do not have pronounced advantages or disadvantages in flight comfort.
Many airlines in the world operate Airbus A 320. The aircraft can be seen at almost any airport in the world. In terms of popularity, this model loses only to the legendary Boeing 737.