Air Astana modernizes fleet with new Airbus A321LRs

Air Astana continues to modernise its fleet with the delivery of the second Airbus A321LR under an operating lease agreement covering five aircraft with Air Lease Corporation of the United States. Along with the first Airbus A321LR delivered in September 2019, the newest aircraft will primarily operate on routes to London, Paris, Moscow and Istanbul. Air Astana was the first airline in the CIS to take delivery of the Airbus A321LR. Airbus A321LR aircraft are configured in a luxury layout of 16 Business class seats and 150 Economy class seats. The lie-flat business class seats are equipped with individual 16-inch screens, with four of 16 seats offering additional personal space. Economy class features Recaro seats with individual 10-inch screens. READ: Airlines - and the global economy - reslient to shocks Air Astana is also scheduled to take delivery of three new Airbus A320neo in the next few months, with all aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney engines. Air Astana currently operates 19 Airbus aircraft, including eight A320s, two A321s, three A320neo, four A321neo and two A321LR, with another nine Airbus aircraft scheduled for delivery in the coming years. The A321LR is a Long Range (LR) version of the best-selling A320neo Family and provides airlines with the flexibility to fly long-range operations of up to 4,000nm (7,400km) and to tap into new long-haul markets, which were not previously accessible with single-aisle aircraft. The A320neo and its derivatives are the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft family with over 6,500 orders from more than 100 customers. It has pioneered and incorporated the latest technologies, including new-generation engines and the industry's reference cabin design, delivering 20% fuel cost per seat savings alone. The A320neo also offers significant environmental benefits with nearly a 50% reduction in noise footprint compared to previous-generation aircraft. Air Astana, the flag carrier of Kazakhstan, started regular flights in May 2002 and now operates on a network of 60 international and domestic routes from hubs in Almaty and Nur-Sultan. The fleet comprises 36 Boeing 767-300ER, Boeing 757-200, Airbus A320/A320neo/A321/A321neo/A321LR and Embraer E190/E2 aircraft. Air Astana is a joint venture between the National Welfare Fund of Kazakhstan "Samruk-Kazyna" and BAE Systems with respective shares of 51% and 49%.