Key takeaways
- The A320neo is the modernized version of the A320 with a new generation of engines; “neo” stands for “New Engine Option.”
- Two engines are available: the CFM LEAP-1A or the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM.
- The ICAO type designator is A20N – that is how the type shows up in flight schedules and tracking apps.
- The best way to tell it from the A320ceo is the large engine nacelles, not the sharklets.
Profile
| Manufacturer | Airbus |
|---|---|
| Family | A320neo family (A319neo, A320neo, A321neo) |
| ICAO type designator | A20N |
| First flight | September 25, 2014 |
| Entry into service | January 2016 (Lufthansa) |
| Engines | 2 × CFM International LEAP-1A or Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM |
| Length | 37.57 m |
| Wingspan | 35.80 m |
| Seats | typically around 150 to 180, depending on cabin layout |
Identifying features
Is this really the aircraft type in front of you?
- Two engines under the wings, one aisle – a typical narrowbody jet
- Visibly large, round engine nacelles, much bulkier than on the classic A320
- Upward-curved sharklets at the wingtips (standard, but also found on many A320ceos)
- No dorsal fin ahead of the vertical stabilizer – unlike on the Boeing 737
- Fuselage length between the A319neo and A321neo – the A321neo is clearly stretched ahead of and behind the wings
What makes the A320neo
The A320neo is the further development of the Airbus A320, one of the most successful airliners ever. Instead of building an all-new jet, Airbus kept the proven airframe and mainly fitted new engines. Hence the name: “neo” stands for “New Engine Option.”
The first flight took place on September 25, 2014, and the first aircraft entered service with Lufthansa in early 2016. Airlines can choose between two engines: the CFM International LEAP-1A and the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM.
The neo family includes the shorter A319neo and the longer A321neo alongside the A320neo. The family is built in Toulouse and Hamburg-Finkenwerder, among other places.
A320neo or A320ceo?
The older version is known in retrospect as the A320ceo (“Current Engine Option”). From the outside the two look very similar, because the fuselage, cockpit and tail are practically the same.
The most reliable feature is the engines: the neo’s nacelles are much larger in diameter and look almost perfectly round from the front. The sharklets at the wingtips, on the other hand, are not a reliable way to tell them apart, because many A320ceos were delivered with them too.
Where you can see the A320neo
The A320neo flies with numerous airlines worldwide, in Europe for example with Lufthansa and easyJet. At major airports it is an everyday sight; the real challenge is telling it apart from the A320ceo and the Boeing 737.
In tracking apps and flight schedules, you can find the type by its ICAO code A20N. That lets you search specifically for arrivals and departures.
Spotting tips
- On approaches seen from the front, watch the engine nacelles: the large, round inlets give away the neo fastest.
- Photograph the registration and the engine together, so you can assign the variant with certainty later.
- Log your sighting with type, registration, airport and date – in Planetrack, directly as a post with photo and spot.
Summary
- The A320neo is one of the most common jets on short- and medium-haul routes in Europe.
- From the outside, it differs from the older A320ceo mainly in its engines.
- With the ICAO code A20N, you can find it directly in flight schedules and tracking services.
Frequently asked questions
What does “neo” mean in A320neo?
“neo” stands for “New Engine Option.” Airbus equipped the proven A320 with a new generation of engines and further detail improvements.
How do I tell the A320neo from the A320ceo?
The surest way is the engines: the nacelles on the neo are much larger in diameter. Sharklets alone are not enough, because many A320ceos were delivered with them too.
What is the ICAO type designator of the A320neo?
The A320neo uses the ICAO type designator A20N. The older A320 is listed as A320.
Collect the Airbus A320neo, don’t just see it
Post a photo with registration, type, airport and spot, check off the type in your hangar and get an alert when a registration you are looking for lands. Planetrack is launching soon – join the waitlist and get early access.
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