The Airbus A321LR Is Fantastic But It Brings New Challenges - TAP Air Portugal CEO

[@StallionFX1]

I’ve flown on an A321NEO with both Delta and PLAY. They were incredibly comfortable and spacious. I flew economy both flights and they were over 3 hours each. I was amazed at the comfort and space and this is coming from someone who’s 6”4. I heard great things about the XLR, but I know each experience is different based on the airline and their seating layout. Either way, I look forward to flying on an XLR and even more excited about narrowbody transatlantic flights on the rise.

[@gobbledygook5786]

Ignore the haters of the A321LR. I was one too, but I recently flew JFK-LHR on jetBlue flight B67, and you know what, I stand corrected. It was positively the BEST transatlantic economy experience I’ve ever had, hands down. Mint is not as cheap as they advertise it to be though, and I managed to get round trip Upper Class fares on Virgin this summer for half the price. However, the cozy intimacy of the 114 seat economy cabin cannot be beaten, and if I were flying Economy, I would seek out jetBlue again. Especially with BA charging limbs for seat selection. Also, jetBlue is not lying about best in class legroom, amenity kits, hot towels, a comprehensive meal selection, and home-felt bathrooms on board. I felt welcomed as soon as I stepped aboard.

[@azlim27]

Ex Ground Crew that worked on the A321LR. The extra fuel tank in the bulk hold limits the amount of cargo and baggage that the aircraft can carry. Aircraft is also tail heavy due to the fuel tank which cause trim issues.

[@jfmezei]

ever since the drive to densify widebody cabins started with 787, the 321 has become coveted because thenshort haul family cabin now sports wider seats than 777 with 10 across, 787!and 350 with 9 across and some 330s also with 9 across. The original image of widebodies beingb more comfortable is being destroyed with addition of an extra seat per row than originally designed for.

[@LiamWalsheliamskitchen]

I have flown on the A321LR a total of 3 times - EWR-ORY, ORY-EWR, and FRA-BAH - all 3 times in J (EWR-ORY-EWR was La Compagnie and FRA-BAH was Gulf Air). Seats were almost identical in each case. Agreed that it was very comfortable and I would do it again. Haven't flown it in Y, but it seems to be more favourable than a 10-abreast 777 or 9-abreast 787. An 8-abreast A330 or 7-abreast 767 probably has an edge over the A321LR, and the A350 appears to be on-par with it.

[@dmav522]

I flew on a brand-new LR with Air Transat in 2019, the best flight of my life, with comfy economy seats and the best sleep I've had on an airplane! I flew the return leg in Club Class, was a great first time in "business" class!

[@outermarker5801]

"Labor Union"?? It just sounds like TAP has a wage cost structure problem because crews want/deserve longhaul pay even though the aircraft is technically a narrow body, just with hella range

[@AEMoreira81]

The aircraft flies routes that were previously flown by the A330 or A340 (the latter was originally purchased for service to Mozambique and Macau).

[@stanignascimento2355]

I personally flew the SAS A321LR from Boston to Copenhagen and it was good, I have no complaints.

[@pdtravels]

I flew on the A321LR with TAP, the least to say is that its a amazing aircraft! Its equipped with TV Screens, moonlighting and comfy seats.

[@Alex20741]

I love how chill TAP is, usually other airlines are really slanderous; but this time they're totally excepting the supply issues etc.

[@TahBoeddha]

2:32 🤔 As far as I know, the A321LR is a narrow body and can fly medium/long range (which can have its own benefits), so whats the “problem”? Or am I missing something? 😄

[@jace1113]

Problem is not the plane. It's the unions

[@flunitrazepam]

I've flown LIS-TMS on their A321LR and loved it. Great aircraft, super comfortable.

[@brunoarod]

You forgot to include Azores Airlines (and its A321neo fleet) on the regular transatantic airlines listing on the video , along with TAP, JetBlue and other.

[@miketennent9036]

Definitely! Have flown the A321 LR many times on Azores Airlines . YYZ-PDL , YYZ-TER. Very comfortable for a narrow body

[@loveFrAd]

I fly regularly on A321Neos and I like them a lot, flights of 6hrs too.

[@JP-oe4ry]

like when its trolly service and people want to use the bathroom. Absolute nightmare, got low grade anxiaty about using a single aisle after that episode lol

[@ronaldneves2711]

I've always dreamed of this. Flying on a narrow body across the Atlantic at Mach ,78. I'd rather walk across!!!

[@giantaxe3958]

What?

[@ormuzoryon]

@@giantaxe3958 Mach is a measurement of the speed of sound. Narrowbody aircraft typically have a maximum cruising speed of 0.78 mach, that is, 950 km/h approximately. Widebodies typically have a 0.85 mach cruising speed, that is 1,050 km/h approximately. That is what @Ronald Neves is referring to. On a short sector there's hardly any difference, but flying transatlantic can potentially take almost an hour longer on a narrowbody than on large cabin aircraft

[@giantaxe3958]

@@ormuzoryon Haha, yeah I'm familiar with Mach. I was just referring the the last sentence of the OPs comment. To add to your comment though, Mach 0.78 and 0.85 are actually 830 km/h and 903 km/h respectively since altitude must be taken into account (using ISA values for 30,000 ft). This is due to the fact that, as you said, Mach is a just a coefficient of the speed of sound which itself is proportional to the temperature of the medium it's going through (when travelling through an ideal gas). It's an important and useful distinction which allows it to scale with the aerodynamic performance of the aircraft.

[@dannypadilla6818]

I don’t understand peoples argument that you’d be “crammed” on a narrow body aircraft, when that actually applies to the wide bodies. 1) On a narrow body it’s only ever going to be up to six across, yet you’re getting up to 10 across on some wide bodies. 2) The narrow bodies crossing the Atlantic are not the same narrow bodies crossing the country, these narrow bodies have a low-density configuration which gives the average passenger more room. What makes any aircraft uncomfortable to fly on is the seat, that’s where the real issue lies. You can have the lowest density 777/350 to ever exist, but if the seat is uncomfortable it’s gonna have the worst experience for anybody.

[@kennedyspace1159]

Iam from india and i have flown in the 321neo with indigo airlines many times and i love that aircraft

[@rastapopoulos7870]

So basically the A321LR is so flexible that it's challenging to schedule the crews.

[@eamonahern7495]

I don't like the thought of being in economy on a narrow body for five hours or more.

[@garyquan5575]

My brother and I flew Westjet on the YYZ-YVR sector (westbound on a B737-800) and back home (YVR-YYZ eastbound on a B737-700) back in June of 2018. The westbound flight took just over 5 hours and the eastbound flight was just over 4 hours. I definitely would not want to go much more than 5 hours nonstop on any narrowbody aircraft (Boeing or Airbus).🤔🤔🤔

[@garyquan5575]

My brother and I flew Westjet on the YYZ-YVR sector (westbound on a B737-800) and back home (YVR-YYZ eastbound on a B737-700) back in June of 2018. The westbound flight took just over 5 hours and the eastbound flight was just over 4 hours. I definitely would not want to go much more than 5 hours nonstop on any narrowbody aircraft (Boeing or Airbus).🤔🤔🤔

[@sainnt]

I once flew on the TAP Air Portugal A321LR from IAD to LIS. Personally for me it was a decent flight, but I could definitely identify how it would be an issue for cabin crew. The last rows in the back were blocked for crew rest, but it's certainly not comfortable for them compared to having bunks or blocked lie flat seats on widebody aircraft. This is further exacerbated by the fact that TAP would operate the A330 on the same routes during peak travel, so the pay difference between the crew operating a narrowbody and widebody aircraft would also be an issue, which an airline like JetBlue wouldn't face because they don't operate any widebody aircraft. Personally, I'd still prefer a widebody aircraft on a transatlantic route.

[@skyaerops]

As an aviation operations professional, one question comes to my mind when it comes to long range flights with a narrowbody aircraft: how do you manage inflight crew rest ? Unlike widebody aircrafts, A321 doesn't have much space for crew to have a nap during flight, or does it ?

[@wdm1000]

Comparing the A321LR of TAP and SAS, I find it interesting that SAS has configured their aircraft as more premium-focused. TAP offers 2 configurations: 16F/ 48E+/ 107E 16F/182 E. SAS configuration 16F/12PE/123E. Which configuration do you think is best from an airline point of view?

[@AEMoreira81]

I say SK as they’re premium focused more so. B6, historically an LCC, is even more premium focused…J24 (23 bookable-12A is typically blocked for crew rest)/PE24/Y90, for just 138 seats…their non-LR A321neos have 160 seats (the trans-con ones) or 200 seats. B6 uses the A321LR to LHR, LGW, and soon to CDG as a “price disrupter” with smaller planes but the same international offerings as legacies. As for TP, the problem is that they have too few A321LRs. LIS-EWR is now full-time twice daily on the A321LR.

[@cabottaxi]

Airbus 321 reminds me of an economical 757 without all the power.

[@LiamWalsheliamskitchen]

The takeoffs still seemed to be fairly powerful - though not AS powerful as a 757. Definitely a lot more powerful than a 737-900, and perhaps the level of a 737-600.

[@Sacto1654]

I think an issue with the A330-900neo in TAP Air Portugal service is they are all the early production planes with an MTOW of only 242 tonnes. As such, there are early production issues that need to be worked out. The later A330-900neo planes with the 251 tonnes MTOW seemed to be doing better in Delta Airlines service.

[@AEMoreira81]

TAP Portugal was the launch customer for the A330neo. Delta also has 242t A339s…their last 10 A333s are also 242t variants. There may be 251t ones coming soon, but not yet here.

[@dannyfox4705]

Flew from New York to Lisbon in March this year the plane is cramped and not adequate supplied with food rand out of meals in business. Flew across to USA in A 330 neo a good experience l will not fly long haul in the A231. TAP pushing this product for purely profit without any consideration for the passenger experience

[@Dr.DiegoDuarte]

It's a narrow body with range, if TAP needs to keep flights with no so many passengers, it's the right choice. But hey, don't compare comfort nd and performance with contemporary wide bodies... Don't let them fool you.

[@karlossargeant3872]

Yup I'm watching this Video Topic on TAP Air Portugal and Airbus A321LR'S right now in this Aviation Video I'm watching right now Awesome Video My Prayers goes out too Airbus 100%

[@mofkfox615]

Stil The Migthy Boeing 757 still the Best for me when it comes to Space,Quality and Performance even to is Age🤗🤗🤗💗Still D'One👌👌👌

[@syedputra5955]

I was informed the a321 xlr can fly 11 hours non stop. Lets wait for the longest distance in a narrow body aircraft. Even a boeing 737 max 8 have a 8 hour duration.

[@andreasronnqvist6162]

This is no different from flying on the 757 over the Atlantic. It's probably better now that I start to think about it due to comfort and noise.

[@javierarreaza5601]

I flew on this aircraft from Lisbon to Toronto on a round trip and I liked it but only because I gave up altogether on going to the bathroom and walking around in any shape or form. Given the choice, I much prefer the A330.

[@jamesw5126]

I have been on both of TAP's A321LR and the A330-900 NEO. The A330-900 NEO is a beautiful aircraft. The A321LR is a nice plane, however at least for ten of us our bags did not come with us on the trip. This was LIS to YYZ. They said the flight was overweight. Funny, the bags showed up 4 days later coming off a A330-900 NEO. What's going to happen with the A321XLR?

[@ijoseluis]

It's obvious as to the flight crews. Carriers cannot expect economies in that side.

[@DreamlinerFan2016]

I’ve been on an A321Neo, but not the LR yet

[@heidirabenau511]

Same

[@111Swissair]

How can the A321LR “NOT” be a “NARROW BODY”??? Then what is it?

[@jace1113]

Ask the unions

[@Chris_de_S]

Maybe a mid-size. Flew from Ireland to Canada 2 months ago on Air Transat - economy - comfortable for a 7 hour flight.

[@FlyBendy]

"It's neither a Narrowbody nor a Widebody"???? Of course, it's a Narrowbody!!

[@12345fowler]

So if the only issue of the A321 LR is how pilots should be paid to fly it, I'd say Airbus did pretty well on the technical side.

[@romanb.6905]

What would be the result of changing scene every two seconds? The Answer is: Simple Flying videos.

[@rudivandoornegat2371]

A321LR range 4,000 nautical miles / 7,400 km with 200 passengers A321XLR range 4,700 nautical miles / 8,705 km with 200 passengers

[@TheChiefEng]

People tend to forget that long haul flying was actually narrow body airplanes up to the time where the Boeing 747 was introduced. Before that time, all long haul flying was primarily done by the Boeing 707 and DC-8. That the talk is not being about that the Airbus 321LR does not fit in truly as a narrow body or a wide body is not really about the airplane itself. The Airbus 321LR is a narrow body airplane but due to its capabilities, it may run into issues with rules for the number of crew needed, crew rest etc. These are things the industry should try to sort out.

[@frankowot4]

Perfect 757 replacement...

[@heidirabenau511]

Yes, but if you include type commonality, not so much but it's a great aircraft, the XLR is a better replacement for the 757 though!

[@bagendamicheal4858]

@@heidirabenau511 but the 757 has a range of 7200 While the lr has 7500

[@kennedyspace1159]

but it cant replace the powerrrr of it, man I miss it so much had a chance to fly on 757 once and it was awesome its truly a sports plane

[@taylorham4life]

Simply an economical passenger mover close to the 757-200 in seat count and distance. BUT No where close to to the true power performance the 757 has.

[@fjp3305]

The only B-757 replacement is another B-757

[@potxiusupfotalongkorn3237]

Then think again TAP about your A330NEOs. Choose 787-8 or 9 with GENx engines. Much more reliable. Much more power and aircraft is much stronger than the aging A330NEO platform.

[@Chris_de_S]

I agree. Flew the Dreamliner from Toronto to Europe in October, flew 321 LR home. Widebody versus narrow body. Both were comfortable, but love the 787

[@steinwaldmadchen]

TAP doesn't really fly anywhere further US and Brasil, nor carry lots of cargo. 787 wouldn't add much value other than 2% better fuel efficiency and less weight restrictions, but comes with a much higher price tag and lag the commonality with other aircraft they own. Doesn't add up.

[@WhiskeyGulf71]

What are TAP on about ? The A320 family are narrow bodies, end of ! In relation to the Trent 7000 issues, TAP claim the performance short fall is no secret but try as i might, the only mention of these issues is from TAP themselves, so what is this performance issue ?

[@jace1113]

It is a labour union issue. Not a technical issue

[@pesawatindonesia]

wow...lihat dari dekat!!! pesawat berbadan besar mister....

[@kingsleydawes7244]

What was that cryptic comment about the Trent 7000 engines? Talk about saying something without saying anything!!

[@nurrizadjatmiko21]

Huh. Interesting🤔

[@devshah5570]

Was on my first ever narrow body for 4+ hours, and I vouch to avoid narrow body for any duration above 3.5 hours. It is just soo uncomfortable and feels cramped. I don't know how can I ever do trans-Atlantic on a narrow body.

[@aljack1979]

The new 757...which Boeing didn't make!

[@BabyBytheBeach]

Ofc Air Transat is in this group 🙄

[@gabyenbcn]

Uncomfortable.. I flew it transatlantic from Lisbon to Newark. If you like sardine cans, this is perfect for you.

[@williamwidjaja850]

Those poor pilot flying accross atlantic in narrow body. Any extra standby pilot on shift ?

[@anakinORDER66]

I’ll take the a321 LR over any Boeing.

[@DiogoF.]

Airbus is superior to Boeing at all levels, particularly passenger comfort and noise.

[@FeScully]

Oh boy… I’m never flying TAP again in my life. A complete mess of an airline

[@evergrandebestrealestate4854]

Yuck. I don't want to travel for such a long time on a narrowbody with no space

[@philippesails4973]

First video I watch from this channel … and the last! Content is so weak! Sounds, also in comparison with other videos of the same author, like a channel against Airbus :-) … good luck

[@franksilva2600]

TAP Air Portugal is the problem. Worst airline in Europe.

[@Aviation0098]

never heard of Ryanair??

[@heidirabenau511]

*Ryanair has entered the chat*

[@brianwoods5309]

Boeing is an innovator...AirBus....Along for the ride...

[@pauloportugal1396]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@alfredturnowsky2546]

Ich hasse dieses Flugzeug. Bin Wien Lissabon Wien mit 321 von TAP geflogen. Eng, unbequeme skyleder Sitze und schlechtes Service. Jeder selbst schuld der sich auf Langstrecke in diese Sardinenbüchse hinein quetscht. Wahrscheinlich kennt er nichts besseres.