The Airbus A319 is a member of the Airbus A320 family of short-to-medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger twin-engine jet airliners. Essentially, it's a shortened version of the highly successful A320, designed to optimize capacity and range for routes with less demand or where longer range is desired for a smaller aircraft.
Here are its main characteristics:
- Type: Narrow-body, twin-engine jet airliner.
- Family: Part of the A320 family, which includes the A318, A319, A320, and A321.
- Capacity: Typically seats around 124 to 156 passengers in a two-class configuration, though this can vary.
- Range: Offers good range for a narrow-body aircraft, making it suitable for both domestic and some longer-haul transcontinental flights.
- First Flight: Made its maiden flight in August 1995.
- Distinguishing Features: Visually similar to the A320 but noticeably shorter. Like other A320 family members, it features a highly automated digital fly-by-wire flight control system.
- Usage: Popular with airlines for its efficiency on shorter routes, as well as for some premium services or routes requiring extended range with fewer passengers. A business jet variant, the ACJ319 (Airbus Corporate Jet), is also available.
The A319 holds an important niche in the single-aisle market, offering flexibility to airlines in matching aircraft capacity to demand while benefiting from the commonality in spare parts, training, and maintenance with its larger A320 family siblings.
