Virgin America (San Francisco) has become the launch operator of the A321neo following the delivery of N921VA (msn 7589) on Thursday, April 20, 2017.
The Alaska Airlines (AS, Seattle Tacoma International) unit is leasing ten of the CFM International LEAP-1A-powered twinjets from GECAS. Assuming no alterations are made to the agreement, the entire compliment of ten is to be delivered by the end of the third quarter of 2018.
“After Virgin America having been the first customer signing for the A320neo back in December 2010, we are today delighted to deliver the first A321neo to them,” Fabrice Brégier, Airbus Chief Operating Officer and President Commercial Aircraft, said.
The aircraft is due to be deployed into service from May 31 on daily rotations between San Francisco and Washington National and on similar services between San Francisco and New York JFK from June 14.
Virgin America also has thirty A320neo on order from Airbus. Deliveries are scheduled for 2020–2022.
