The Philippines, often referred to as an “Airbus nation”, is home to several local airlines that primarily operate Airbus aircraft. Terms like “A320neo”, “A321neo”, and “A330neo” are second nature to aviation enthusiasts, often referred to as “avgeeks”. However, these abbreviations can often be puzzling to the everyday traveler. Therefore, let’s delve into the meaning of “NEO” in the context of Airbus planes and understand why these aircraft are renowned for their efficiency.
Innovation is the lifeblood of the aerospace industry, and Airbus is a pioneering force in this regard. It continues to outdo itself with the development of the Airbus NEO (New Engine Option) aircraft family. The NEO aircraft series, including the A319neo, A320neo, A321neo, and A330neo, highlights Airbus’ dedication to continually evolving in the aviation industry, setting new standards in fuel efficiency and passenger comfort.
Airbus NEO: An Evolutionary Leap in Aerospace
The term “NEO” signifies the “New Engine Option” provided by Airbus in their latest jet models. It’s not only a simple upgrade but an evolutionary development from the company’s previous successful models, the A319, A320, and A321. In the NEO variants, Airbus offers either CFM LEAP turbofan engine or Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, a major step towards better fuel efficiency.
The NEO series, equipped with modern engines and standard sharklets, achieves between 15% to 20% better fuel efficiency compared to their predecessors, now referred to as CEO or “Current Engine Option” aircraft. Since the introduction of the NEO series, Airbus has been gaining significant ground against its competitors, solidifying its position in the market.
Unveiling the Airbus A320neo Family
The A320neo family has quickly garnered attention since its launch in December 2010. Following its first flight in September 2014, the series was first introduced commercially by Lufthansa in early 2016. As of May 2023, this family had received orders for over 8,754 aircraft from more than 130 customers, with around 2,791 aircraft already delivered. The A320neo fleet has successfully completed more than 5.51 million flights, exemplifying Airbus’s commitment to safety and reliability.
For guidance on identifying the various A320 models from their external features, please refer to this guide.
Airbus A330neo: Reimagining Long-Haul Travel
The Airbus A330neo, a wide-body airliner developed from the original A330 model (now the A330ceo), represents a considerable leap forward in long-haul travel technology. Launched in July 2014 at the Farnborough Airshow, the A330neo promised a 14% better fuel economy per seat, a significant achievement in the aviation industry.
Exclusively powered by the Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engine, the A330neo has double the bypass ratio of its predecessor, reinforcing its commitment to fuel efficiency. It includes two versions based on the A330-200 and -300. As of April 2023, Airbus received orders for 289 A330neo aircraft from more than 25 customers, with 99 aircraft already delivered.
Airbus NEO vs. Airbus CEO: A Comparative Analysis
While the Airbus CEO models were a commercial success in their time, the NEO family, with its advanced technology and superior fuel efficiency, indicates Airbus’s forward-thinking approach to aviation. The switch from CEO to NEO is not merely about swapping engines; it’s about setting new standards in aviation. The focus is to improve fuel efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and provide an enhanced passenger experience.
1. Airbus A330-900neo vs A330-300:
- Length: A330-900neo (63.66m) vs A330-300 (63.66m)
- Width: A330-900neo (60.3m) vs A330-300 (60.3m)
- Wingspan: A330-900neo (64.0m) vs A330-300 (60.3m)
- Cabin width: A330-900neo (5.28m) vs A330-300 (5.28m)
- Maximum number of passengers: A330-900neo (440 passengers) vs A330-300 (440 passengers)
- Engines: A330-900neo (Rolls-Royce Trent 7000) vs A330-300 (Pratt & Whitney PW4000, Rolls-Royce Trent 700, General Electric CF6-80E)
- Range: A330-900neo (7,200 nautical miles) vs A330-300 (6,350 nautical miles)
- Thrust: A330-900neo (316.3 kN) vs A330-300 (304 – 320 kN depending on engine type)
- Payload: A330-900neo (63,800 kg) vs A330-300 (61,500 kg)
2. A321neo vs A321ceo:
- Length: A321neo (44.51m) vs A321ceo (44.51m)
- Width: A321neo (35.80m) vs A321ceo (34.10m)
- Wingspan: A321neo (35.80m) vs A321ceo (34.10m)
- Cabin width: A321neo (3.70m) vs A321ceo (3.70m)
- Maximum number of passengers: A321neo (240 passengers) vs A321ceo (220 passengers)
- Engines: A321neo (CFM International LEAP-1A, Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM) vs A321ceo (IAE V2500, CFM56-5B)
- Range: A321neo (4,000 nautical miles) vs A321ceo (3,200 nautical miles)
- Thrust: A321neo (154 kN) vs A321ceo (133-147 kN depending on engine type)
- Payload: A321neo (29,700 kg) vs A321ceo (28,100 kg)
3. A320neo vs A320ceo:
- Length: A320neo (37.57m) vs A320ceo (37.57m)
- Width: A320neo (35.80m) vs A320ceo (34.10m)
- Wingspan: A320neo (35.80m) vs A320ceo (34.10m)
- Cabin width: A320neo (3.70m) vs A320ceo (3.70m)
- Maximum number of passengers: A320neo (194 passengers) vs A320ceo (180 passengers)
- Engines: A320neo (CFM International LEAP-1A, Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM) vs A320ceo (IAE V2500, CFM56-5B)
- Range: A320neo (3,500 nautical miles) vs A320ceo (3,300 nautical miles)
- Thrust: A320neo (120-133 kN) vs A320ceo (98-120 kN depending on engine type)
- Payload: A320neo (20,500 kg) vs A320ceo (16,500 kg)
The ranges provided for these aircraft are maximum ranges with ideal load conditions, and actual ranges may vary based on passenger count, fuel load, and other variables. Likewise, thrust values are maximum thrust and may vary depending on different factors.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
