Airbus · Narrowbody · In Service

Airbus A320ceo

Julian Herzog (Website) — CC BY 4.0

The Airbus A320ceo (Current Engine Option) is a twin-engine, narrow-body jet airliner that forms the baseline of the world's most prolific single-aisle aircraft family. Launched in the 1980s and entering commercial service with Air France in 1988, it fundamentally transformed commercial aviation by pioneering full digital fly-by-wire flight control systems and a sidystick layout in the commercial sector.

Serving as the principal competitor to the Boeing 737, the A320ceo family—comprising the A318, A319, A320, and A321 variants—established new standards for cabin cross-section width and operational flexibility in short- to medium-haul markets. Its widespread adoption by both legacy carriers and low-cost pioneers cemented its role as a core workhorse of global short-haul networks before production transitioned to the re-engined neo series.

By The Numbers

The Airbus A320ceo (Current Engine Option) family—encompassing the A318, A319, A320, and A321 variants built before the transition to the neo line—concluded its primary production run with more than 8,100 aircraft manufactured. Overall, the broader cumulative Airbus A320 program has surpassed 12,700 total deliveries and crossed 20,300 total orders, cementing its place as one of the most prolific commercial aircraft families in aviation history.

Today, large-scale operation of the A320ceo spans major network and low-cost carriers globally, though airlines are steadily transitioning toward neo variants. Historically and currently, massive fleets of A320ceo aircraft are operated heavily by major network legacy carriers and low-cost giants in North America, Europe, and Asia—including heavy concentrations flying for American Airlines, easyJet, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines.

Comparison

Airbus A320ceo vs Airbus A320neo

Spec	Airbus A320ceo	Airbus A320neo
Entered Service	1988	2016
Engines	2x CFM International CFM56-5 or IAE V2500	2x CFM International LEAP-1A or Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM
Range	approx. 6,100 km (3,300 nmi)	6,500 km (3,500 nmi)
Cruise Speed	Mach 0.78 (approx. 828 km/h)	Mach 0.78 (828 km/h)
Typical Seating	140–150 (two class)	150 to 180 (two class)
Max Takeoff Weight	78,000 kg (171,960 lb)	79,000 kg (174,165 lb)

What Changed

The Airbus A320neo replaces the classic A320ceo generation by introducing next-generation high-bypass powerplants—specifically the CFM International LEAP-1A or Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM—which replace older CFM56 and IAE V2500 engines. Combined with standard large-span aerodynamic wingtip devices known as sharklets, these updates yield a real-world fuel burn reduction ranging from 15% to 20% compared to the baseline ceo variant.

View full Airbus A320neo profile →

Manufacturing

Where It's Built

The Airbus A320ceo (Current Engine Option) is produced across a globally distributed network of final assembly lines (FAL). Primary final assembly operations are located in Toulouse (France) and Hamburg (Germany). To meet sustained market demand and support regional delivery streams, final assembly capacity was subsequently established outside Europe, including plants in Tianjin (China) and Mobile (Alabama, United States).

Airbus operates an integrated aerostructures supply chain for the A320 family. Major structural components are fabricated across multiple European and international facilities: the forward fuselage sections are built in France (primarily by Airbus Atlantic), while the rear fuselage sections, tailcones, and vertical stabilizers are manufactured in Germany. Wings are designed and principally fabricated in the United Kingdom (Filton and Broughton). Additional structural sub-components, such as fuselage skins and panels, are sourced through specialized Tier-1 aerostructures suppliers globally. Flight control systems, avionics, and onboard computers—including the Elevator Aileron Computers (ELAC)—are integrated from specialized systems partners.

An exact, universally agreed cumulative development cost for the original A320 program is not officially documented as a standalone public figure in contemporary accounting archives, largely due to the consortium structure of Airbus Industrie during its inception, multi-national government launch loans, and shifting development allocations across subsequent derivative models (such as the A321, A319, and A318).

Notable Operators

Air FranceAmerican AirlinesEasyJetIndiGo

Watch

Airbus A320ceo In Action

Airbus A320 Tutorial 8: Takeoff and Initial Climb | Real Airbus Pilot

Get to know the Airbus #A320

Safety Record

Notable Safety History

Regulatory authorities and manufacturers have systematically addressed technical findings through mandatory airworthiness directives. A notable operational anomaly occurred when an A320-family aircraft experienced an uncommanded pitch-down event during cruise, traced to data corruption and software vulnerabilities within the Elevator Aileron Computer (ELAC-B). This prompted the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to issue emergency airworthiness directives requiring targeted software updates and computer configuration compliance to prevent potential elevator misbehavior.

Additionally, routine airframe structural inspections have been mandated via airworthiness directives following localized fatigue or manufacturing tolerance deviations—such as potential cracking or thickness anomalies identified on specific fuselage frames (e.g., Frame 68) and cargo door sub-structures—requiring operators to perform repetitive visual and non-destructive structural checks and corrective reinforcement.

Covers officially investigated accidents only, per aviation safety authorities (NTSB, FAA, EASA, AAIB or equivalent).

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Sources & Further Reading