Although the A320neo has only been in production for a few years, Airbus is already looking ahead. The aerospace giant is actively developing an entirely new aircraft that will eventually replace the highly successful A320neo family.
The project, currently dubbed “Future Aircraft” or “Next Generation Single Aisle,” aims to deliver a fuel efficiency improvement of 20 to 30 percent and a design fully aligned with the future of sustainable aviation. Program leader Karim Mokaddem spoke about the initiative on March 25 during a presentation in Toulouse. Airbus expects to introduce the new aircraft to the market by the late 2030s.
Designed for Sustainability
The upcoming single-aisle jet will be capable of flying entirely on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and will feature a fundamentally reimagined design. According to Sue Partridge, head of Airbus’ Wing of Tomorrow program, the new wings will be “long and slender”—aerodynamically optimized for reduced drag and increased lift. The structure will incorporate next-generation lightweight materials, such as biomass-based thermoplastic composites, to keep the overall weight low.
One striking innovation is the introduction of foldable wing tips—a first for a narrowbody aircraft. This solution allows for increased wingspan without compromising airport compatibility.
The Open Fan Revolution
A key component of the project is the integration of a revolutionary open-fan engine, developed in collaboration with CFM International (a joint venture of GE Aerospace and Safran). Unlike traditional turbofan engines, open-fan designs expose the fan blades, enabling significantly higher efficiency.
Initial tests are promising, according to GE, with demonstration flights planned before the end of the decade. These tests will include flights using a modified Airbus A380 as a flying testbed.
Airbus has yet to finalize where these engines will be positioned—options include underwing mounting, rear fuselage placement, or even atop the fuselage as seen in shoulder-wing concepts. Due to the unique nature of the open-fan architecture, additional structural reinforcement will be required to safeguard against rare blade detachment scenarios.
To address these challenges, Airbus plans to use ultralight fan blades and implement advanced detection systemscapable of identifying mechanical issues before they become critical.