Pratt & Whitney has today announced that Icelandair has selected the company’s GTF™ engines to power up to 35 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft, including purchased and leased A321XLR and A321LR jets.
On Monday (March 4, 2024), Pratt & Whitney announced that Icelandair has chosen fuel-efficient GTF engines to power up to 35 purchased and leased Airbus A320neo family aircraft, including A321XLRs and A321LRs. The carrier has also selected an EngineWise maintenance long-term agreement for the repair , maintenance and overhaul (MRO) of the engines. With this new order, Icelandair becomes a first-time GTF customer. The GTF engine features revolutionary geared fan architecture, a Collins Aerospace nacelle and engine accessories, delivering industry-leading fuel efficiency and sustainability benefits for single-aisle aircraft operators.
In Monday’s announcement, Pratt & Whitney’s President – Commercial Engines, Rick Deurloo, said,
“With these GTF-powered A321XLR and A321LR aircraft, Icelandair and Pratt & Whitney are renewing a relationship, which started more than 80 years ago. These engines and aircraft are well-suited to serve Icelandair’s growing transatlantic network, while delivering industry-leading fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions.”
Also commenting on the GTF engine order, Icelandair’s President and CEO, Bogi Nils Bogason, said,
“With these GTF engines, we will maximize the range and efficiency of our new Airbus aircraft. Furthermore, the GTF engines will help us reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions by up to 30% per seat, compared to the 757s they will replace, which will support business and environmental objectives at the same time. We expect our passengers to experience the initial A321LRs starting in 2025, and the first A321XLR beginning in 2029.”
Founded in 1937, Icelandair’s route network centers on Iceland’s unique location between North America and Europe, connecting destinations to/from Iceland and across the Atlantic. In the 1940s, the airline started operating aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney Wasp engines. During the 1960s Icelandair adopted Pratt & Whitney turbojet and turbofan powered jets, including the Boeing 727, Douglas DC-8, and later the Boeing 767-300ER. The carrier also currently operates De Havilland Canada DASH-8 regional turboprop aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW100 and PW150 engines.
A division of Raytheon Technologies Corporation (NYSE: RTX), Pratt & Whitney is a global leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft and helicopter engines and auxiliary power units (APUs) for commercial, military, regional, business and general aviation aircraft. Pratt & Whitney is known for their innovative technologies such as the Geared Turbofan (GTF) commercial aircraft engine and the PW800 business jet engine. Arlington, Virginia-based RTX is the world’s largest aerospace and defense company, employing over 185,000 team members worldwide. The company’s industry-leading business units include Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney and Raytheon. In 2023, RTX generated sales totaling $68.9 billion.
Source: Pratt & Whitney, and RTX Company