Tag Archives: a321

NEO Versus Not-NEO

For some reason I was thinking about the comparison between the neo and classic versions of the A320 family and it got me wondering whether I had any shots that would provide a good direct comparison between the old and new versions.  The answer I came up with was shots of American Airlines’ A321s departing LAX.  They provided the combination of reliable lighting and similar angles on the climb out.  I was able to put the two together in one shot.  Externally, the differences are there to be seen but, if you are not knowing what to look for, you probably wouldn’t tell them apart.  Given the significant performance increase the neo brings, it would be easy to miss.

Don’t Float Too Long, I’m Using the Big Lens!

Mark had pointed me to a good spot at Vancouver for evening arrivals when the summer sun has come around more to the north.  I trudged to the top of the “hill” lugging my gear with me as I didn’t know exactly what to expect and what lenses would work.  Consequently, I brought a selection with me.  It turned out that the 500 was good for a lot of shots but, once the jets got closer to me, it was too much.  For a wide-body, it was definitely too much but a narrow-body was okay until after touchdown – usually!  An Air Canada A321 in the new colors came down the approach but he flared a little high and floated. He was getting closer and closer and the viewfinder was rapidly filling.  The touchdown of the wheels happened just before bits of the airframe were cut off.  This shot is exactly as it came out of the camera.  Good lesson for some of the later arrivals.

JetBlue’s 200th Aircraft

AU0E5008.jpgThe repetitive nature of the same airlines and the same types is what you expect of airports these days. Every once in a while, though, the airlines put some extra decoration on their aircraft. Usually you can see that there is something there before you get to see what it actually says. JetBlue have an Airbus A321 that is apparently their 200th aircraft. It has a big decal on the rear fuselage to highlight this fact. It apparently joined them over a year ago so a bit late for congratulations.