Pratt & Whitney, a business unit of RTX (NYSE: RTX), has secured a significant approval with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification of its Geared Turbofan (GTF) engine for the Airbus A321XLR aircraft.
The engine type certificate, granted on December 12, updates the PW1100G-JM engine specifications to include this next-generation long-range narrow-body aircraft.
Pratt & Whitney are now targeting European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approval in early 2025.
Airbus A321XLR: A Game-Changing Single-Aisle Aircraft
The Airbus A321XLR represents a breakthrough in commercial aviation, offering unprecedented range and flexibility for airlines.
This extended-range variant of the popular A321neo can fly up to 4,700 nautical miles, bridging the gap between narrow-body and wide-body aircraft capabilities.
Airlines can now operate longer routes more efficiently, connecting cities that were previously challenging to serve economically.
GTF Engine: Driving Technological Innovation
Rick Deurloo, president of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney, highlighted the importance of this certification. “This milestone underscores the GTF engine’s continued evolution and its critical role in modern aviation,” he explained.
“The engine’s design enables substantial improvements in fuel efficiency and environmental performance.”
Key Performance Metrics
- Fuel Efficiency: GTF engines deliver up to 20% better fuel efficiency compared to previous-generation engines
- Environmental Impact: Operators have saved 2 billion gallons of fuel and prevented 20 million metric tons of CO2 emissions
- Global Reach: Over 2,100 GTF-powered aircraft have been delivered to more than 80 customers worldwide
GTF Advantage
Looking ahead, the GTF Advantage engine is on track for certification and first engine deliveries next year. It will provide even more value to customers operating the A321XLR.
The engine will deliver 4-8% higher takeoff thrust with up to 1% in additional fuel efficiency and longer time on wing.
The GTF Advantage is ideally suited for the A321XLR, further expanding new route options and enabling even better operating economics. The GTF Advantage engine will be fully intermixable and interchangeable with today’s model of the GTF.
Market Adoption and Customer Interest
The market response has been robust, with 13 customers already selecting the PW1100G-JM GTF engines for 217 A321XLR aircraft.
This signals a strong industry confidence in the engine’s performance and potential to transform long-haul, single-aisle operations.
By achieving this certification, Pratt & Whitney strengthens its market position in aviation propulsion technology.
Click the banner to subscribe to our weekly newsleter.
Click the photo to join our WhatsApp channel so then you can stay up to date with everything going on in the aviation industry!
