Airbus has started test flights with the A321neo, the largest member of its re-engined single-aisle family.

The aircraft (D-AVXB), fitted with CFM International Leap-1A engines, took off on its maiden sortie from Airbus's Finkenwerder plant in Hamburg today.

Airbus says the aircraft, with five crew members on board, was airborne for 5h 29min.

Airbus

It adds that tests comprised engine-speed variations, systems behaviour and flight-envelope validation.

Airbus says the A321neo will undertake a "partial" flight-test programme to examine specific aspects associated with the larger type's performance.

It also plans to start test flights with the Pratt & Whitney-powered version in a few weeks.

Source: Cirium Dashboard