Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, announced today that it has received U.S. Federal Aviation Administration certification for the GTF engine that will power the Airbus A321XLR aircraft. The engine type certificate, granted on December 12 and applicable to the PW1100G-JM engine, was updated to include the A321XLR.

"This is an important milestone for the GTF engine program, which was the first engine to power the A320neo aircraft family," said Rick Deurloo, president of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney. "The longer range and higher payload capability of the Airbus A321XLR aircraft will provide customers with expanded route flexibility to more destinations. A321XLR operators will benefit from the GTF's best-in-class fuel efficiency and the lowest carbon emissions available for single aisle aircraft."

Globally, 13 customers have selected GTF engines to power 217 A321XLR aircraft. To date, more than 2,100 GTF-powered aircraft have been delivered to over 80 customers worldwide. GTF engines enable up to 20 per cent better fuel efficiency compared to aircraft powered by the prior generation of engines. As a result, the GTF engine has saved operators 2 billion gallons of fuel and 20 million metric tons of CO2, since entry into service in 2016.

The GTF Advantage engine, which is on track for certification and first engine deliveries next year, will provide even more value to customers operating the A321XLR. It will deliver 4-8 per cent higher takeoff thrust with up to 1 per cent 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.