Article from BTNews 30 SEPTEMBER 2019
First A321LR for Astana
The first of seven Airbus A321LR long-range aircraft acquired under an operating lease agreement with Air Lease Corporation of the US has joined the fleet at Kazakhstan’s flag carrier, Air Astana.
The remaining six aircraft are scheduled for delivery over the next 12 to 18 months, depending on Airbus’ production capacity in Hamburg. Air Astana is the first operator of the aircraft type in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
The carrier says the new A321LRs will gradually replace its Boeing B757 aircraft on long-haul services to European and Asian destinations, with enhanced cabin comforts and facilities for passengers.
Air Astana A321s will be configured with 16 lie-flat seats in Business Class and 150 seats in Economy Class. Business Class seats are equipped with individual 16in screens, while the Recaro seats in Economy are designed to provide increased comfort for long flights and have individual 10in screens.
Air Astana currently operates 19 Airbus aircraft, including eight A320s, four A321s, three A320neo, three A321neo and one A321LR, with another 10 Airbus aircraft scheduled for delivery by the end of 2020.
The new Airbus A321LR will be unveiled officially to VIP guests at a ceremony in Nur-Sultan on Wednesday next week, 9 October.
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