What was the Airbus A321 originally called?

Short answer

The A321, the A320's first derivative, was initially known as the Stretched A320, A320-500 and A325. Its launch came on 24 November 1988, around when the A320 entered service, after commitments for 183 aircraft from ten customers. The prototype flew on 11 March 1993.

Published: October 31, 2026 · Updated: October 31, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

What was the Airbus A321 originally called?

Lufthansa Airbus A320-211 D AIQT 01Julian Herzog (Website) (CC BY), vía commons

Stretched A320, A320-500 and A325

The Airbus A321 was the first A320 derivative and, before its final designation was settled, it was also known as the Stretched A320, the A320-500 and the A325. Those three names—the stretched variant of the A320, the A320-500 and the A325—were applied to the same aircraft that was later marketed as the A321. The programme launch came on 24 November 1988, roughly at the same time the A320 entered service, once purchase commitments for 183 aircraft had been secured from ten customers.

Two prototypes and two engine options

The A321's maiden flight took place on 11 March 1993, when the prototype, registered F-WWIA, took off fitted with IAE V2500 engines. The second prototype, equipped with CFM56-5B turbofans, flew in May 1993.

The first deliveries

The A321-100 entered service in January 1994 with Lufthansa. The German airline's first A321, powered by the V2500-A5 variant, was delivered on 27 January 1994. Alitalia received its first example with CFM56-5B engines on 22 March 1994.