Aeroflot gets an A321 with increased seat capacity

Unlike other A321s in the airline’s fleet this aircraft can accommodate up to 186 passengers (Photo by Aeroflot)

Aeroflot has taken delivery of an Airbus A321 that has more seats than any similar type airplane in the company’s fleet. Compared to 170- or 183-seat layouts on other aircraft, this one will be able to accommodate 186 passengers, an airline spokesperson reports.

The traditional Aeroflot A321 cabin arrangement has 170 seats for 28 business-class and 142 economy-class passengers. The company started to introduce 183-seat A321s to its fleet in August this year. The latter offers 16 business-class and 167 economy-class seats.

The newly arrived aircraft will be able to carry 16 and 170 people in business and economy classes, respectively. It has VP-BEA registration and was named after composer Alfred Schnittke. It was built in 2015 and was previously operated by Transaero (under EI-VKO). The leasing seems to be provided by Chinese ICBC Leasing as it was the company that used to arrange A321 deliveries to Aeroflot’s competitor.

Airbus A321 VP-BEA is the first airplane received by Aeroflot in October. As of the end of October its fleet comprises 190 aircraft, including 71 A320s, 32 A321s, 20 Boeing 737s, 15 Boeing 777s, 22 A330s and 30 Sukhoi Superjet 100s (SSJ 100).