Airbus rolled ITA Airways’ first A321neo out of the paint shop in Germany on October 26. The aircraft, which will be named after Massimiliano Rosolino, Italian swimmer, and Olympic Champion in 2000 in Sydney, will be delivered to the airline by the end of the year.
Configured with three classes and 165 seats, the A321neo will be the carrier’s largest single-aisle jet, which currently operates A220, A319 and A320 models.
The aircraft will also be the first narrow-body aircraft with three classes, divided into 12 Business Class seats, 12 Premium Economy seats and 141 Economy seats (with 12 Comfort Economy seats).
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The Airspace cabin will feature the design of Walter de Silva, a renowned Italian designer, best known for his work in the automobile industry.
ITA is also equipping every seat on the aircraft with an on-demand audio and video entertainment system with 13.3- to 17.3-inch 4K touchscreens. The A321neo will also feature onboard Wi-Fi.
According to the airline, the A321neo will be deployed on medium-haul routes, taking advantage of its high autonomy.
Fleet expanded by 56% in two years
ITA debuted its flights in October 2021 after taking over part of Alitalia. The fleet was inherited from the former airline, with 52 aircraft – 18 A319s, 27 A320s and seven A330-200 widebodies.
But soon the plan to modernize and expand the fleet was put into practice, with the leasing of aircraft and also firm orders with Airbus, the airline’s sole supplier.
Currently, ITA Airways has a fleet of 81 aircraft, or 56% more than two years ago. Of these, 32 jets are new generation, including the A220, the A320neo, A330-900neo and the A350-900. Only three planes were removed from service during this period.
| Model | October 2021 | October 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| A220-100 | 1 | |
| A220-300 | 7 | |
| A319 | 18 | 17 |
| A320 | 27 | 25 |
| A320neo | 13 | |
| A321neo | ||
| A330-200 | 7 | 7 |
| A330-900 | 5 | |
| A350-900 | 6 | |
| Total | 52 | 81 |
