Frontier Airlines has today unveiled their first ultra-fuel-efficient Airbus A321neo at a special event at Tampa International Airport (TPA). The 240-seat aircraft is powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, making it the most fuel-efficient aircraft of any U.S. airline.
On Tuesday (October 11, 2022), Frontier Airlines officially unveiled their first ultra-fuel-efficient Airbus A321neo at a special event at Tampa International Airport (TPA). The 240-seat state-of-the-art aircraft is powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines and will deliver an industry-leading l20 miles per gallon per seat, making it the most efficient commercial aircraft operated by any U.S. airline. Frontier’s new A321neos will generate lower carbon emissions and engine noise compared to previous generation aircraft, furthering the efforts of ‘America’s Greenest Airline’ to reduce its environmental footprint. The aircraft is the first of 158 A321neos to be delivered to Frontier between now and 2029. The carrier currently has 226 aircraft on order, which will nearly triple their fleet by the end of the decade.
In Tuesday’s announcement, Frontier Airlines’ President and CEO, Barry Biffle, said,
“The addition of these new A321neo’s to our fleet will make the greenest airline in the U.S. even greener with these aircraft able to achieve 120 miles per gallon per seat. They are the most fuel-efficient aircraft in operation among major U.S. airlines and are capable of delivering immediate, tangible reductions in fuel consumption, carbon emissions and engine noise. Frontier continues to lead the way in reducing fuel consumption and lessening our environmental footprint and the addition of the A321neo to our fleet is another step in that journey.
“The introduction of the A321neo into our fleet is an important step in our company’s sustainability goals and continued growth. The fuel-efficiency offered by this aircraft also provides savings that can be passed on to our customers, helping us continue to deliver on our mission of providing ‘Low Fares Done Right’ across America and beyond.”
The debut event was held at TPA’s Airborne Maintenance and Engineering Services facility and was attended by a large contingent of Frontier, Airbus, Pratt & Whitney and TPA team members. The new A321neo sports a stunning new special-edition livery, featuring Frederick the Bald Eagle, inspired by Pratt & Whitney and named for the company’s founder, Frederick B. Rentschler. Mr. Rentschler founded the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Company in Hartford, Connecticut (U.S.) in 1925, with the vision that great airplanes can only be built around the best engines. The company’s first product was an air-cooled, radial piston engine named the Wasp, which transformed the industry, and remains the only aircraft engine to be designated an historic landmark to this day.
Also commenting on the new A321neo delivery, Pratt & Whitney’s President of Commercial Engines, Rick Deurloo, said,
“Frederick Rentschler transformed aviation with the most efficient, dependable engines of their time. Our employees, who voted to name this plane in his honor, carry on his vision with new technologies like the revolutionary geared fan at the heart of our GTF engines. With up to 20 percent in savings, GTF engines are the most fuel efficient with the lowest greenhouse gas emissions for the Airbus A320neo family. These GTF-powered aircraft fly more passengers, farther, more sustainably, and with lower operating costs — helping Frontier add new routes and keep fares low.”
Airbus Americas’ Chairman and CEO, Jeff Knittel, added,
“Frontier has the largest A321neo backlog in North America -- a concrete example of their core focus on efficiency and the environment. With its lower fuel burn, emissions and noise footprint, the A321neo will fly Frontier deep into the 'green' future, pleasing passengers while concentrating on sustainability, priorities we at Airbus admire and share.”
The Pratt & Whitney’s GTF engine is the only geared propulsion system delivering industry-leading sustainability benefits, mature dispatch reliability and world-class operating costs. The engine offers a fuel consumption and CO2 emissions reduction of between 16 and 20 percent, a reduction of NOx emissions by 50 percent versus ICAO CAEP/6 emissions regulations and a 75 percent smaller noise footprint. GTF engines are currently certified to operate on 50 percent SAF, and been successfully tested using 100 percent SAF.
A division of Raytheon Technologies Corporation (NYSE: RTX), Pratt & Whitney is a global leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft and helicopter engines and auxiliary power units (APUs) for commercial, military, regional, business and general aviation aircraft. Pratt & Whitney is known for their innovative technologies such as the Geared Turbofan (GTF) commercial aircraft engine and the PW800 business jet engine.
Frontier Airlines (NASDAQ: ULCC) is committed to “Low Fares Done Right.” The Denver-based carrier operates over 110 Airbus A320 Family aircraft and has the largest Airbus A320neo fleet in the U.S., delivering the highest level of fuel-efficiency and noise footprint reduction compared to previous generation models. Frontier offers customers the ability to customize travel to their needs and budget, including base fares, a-la-carte options and one low-priced bundle called the WORKS.
Frontier’s commitment to families includes their ‘Discount Den’ travel club which allows children 14 years and younger to fly free on qualifying flights. The airline’s family friendly FRONTIER Miles loyalty program allows guests to earn one mile for every mile flown and permits the family pooling of miles, making it easier to earn rewards. Frontier currently has over 230 new Airbus aircraft on order, which will help the airline continue to deliver on their mission of providing affordable travel across America.
Source(s): Frontier Airlines, Pratt & Whitney