This afternoon, Frontier Airlines held an event at Tampa International Airport to unveil a new aircraft and livery. The Airbus A321neo is the first ultra-fuel-efficient aircraft in the airline's fleet and the most fuel-efficient commercial aircraft operated by any United States airline.
A green machine
Frontier Airlines continues furthering its sustainability effort. Today's announcement of the ultra-fuel-efficient Airbus A321neo aircraft is the latest step the airline has taken to reduce its emissions and harm to the environment. The new A321neo, with a capacity for 240 passengers, will be powered by Pratt & Whitney's GTF engines, of which Frontier ordered 270+ units in January 2021. The new engines deliver a significant 16% reduction in fuel burn, resulting in 16% fewer carbon emissions.
Barry Biffle, President and CEO of Frontier Airlines, said,
"The addition of these new A321neo's to our fleet will make the greenest airline in the U.S. even greener with these aircraft able to achieve 120 miles per gallon per seat."
In addition to stating that Frontier is the greenest airline in the United States, Biffle expanded on the significance of the new ultra-fuel-efficient A321neo,
"They are the most fuel-efficient aircraft in operation among major U.S airlines and are capable of delivering immediate, tangible reductions in fuel consumption, carbon emissions and engine noise. Frontier continues to lead the way in reducing fuel consumption and lessening our environmental footprint and the addition of the A321neo to our fleet is another step in that journey."
In addition to unveiling the new aircraft, Frontier unveiled a new special livery in honor of Pratt & Whitney's Founder, Frederick B. Rentschler. The new, special edition livery is nicknamed 'Frederick the Bald Eagle', featuring the animal on its tail. Rentschler was a pioneer in aircraft engine design, creating lighter and more fuel-efficient engines.
“Frederick Rentschler transformed aviation with the most efficient, dependable engines of their time. Our employees, who voted to name this plane in his honor, carry on his vision with
new technologies like the revolutionary geared fan at the heart of our GTF engines.” - Rick Deurloo, President, Pratt & Whitney Commercial Engines
This afternoon's event was held at the Airborne Maintenance and Engineering Services facility at the Tampa International Airport, a Frontier base. In attendance were numerous staff from Frontier, Airbus, Pratt & Whitney, and the TPA airport.
New Pratt & Whitney engines
Frontier announced in January last year that it was placing an order for 268 installed GTF engines, plus spares, to power 134 Airbus A320neo family aircraft. The new engines will help the airline maintain its commitment to reducing emissions and its negative effect on the environment. According to Barry Biffle, Frontier was the most fuel-efficient U.S. airline in 2021, and the new engines would help further cement its place.
The Pratt & Whitney GTF engines use geared fan technology, allowing each individual part of the engine to spin at its own optimal speed. It is because of this technology that the engine is able to deliver a significant reduction in fuel burn and in carbon and nitrogen oxide emissions.