Airbus Aircraft Numbering System

The Airbus numbering system is an alphanumeric model number followed by a dash and a three digit number.

The model number often takes the form of the letter “A” followed by a ‘3’, a digit, then followed normally by a ‘0’, for example A320.

There are some exceptions such as: A220, A318, A319, A321 and A400M.

The succeeding three digit number represents the aircraft series, the engine manufacturer and engine version number respectively.

To use an A380-800 with Engine Alliance (EA) GP7200 engines as an example; The code is 8 for series 800, 6 for Engine Alliance and engine version 1, thus the aircraft number is A380-861.

An additional letter is sometimes used. These include:

• ‘C’ for a combi version (passenger/freighter), 
• ‘F’ for a freighter model, 
• ‘R’ for the long-range model, 
• ‘N’ for new engine option (neo), 
• ‘M’ for a military model, and 
• ‘X’ for the enhanced model.
• LR: Long-range
• XLR: Extra-long range
• ULR: Ultra-long range
• P2F: Passenger to freighter

Engine Codes

AIRCRAFT MODEL DESIGNATION

Lets understand with an example – 

A320-251NX

• A320 – Basic Aircraft Model
• 2 – Series Identification
  • -100 Series
  • -200 Series
• 5 – Type of Engines
  • 1 – CFMI Engines (ceo)
  • 2 – P&W Engines (A318 only) (ceo)
  • 3 – IAE Engines (ceo)
  • 5 – CFMI Engines (neo)
  • 7 – IAE Engines (neo)
• 1 – Thrust Rating
• N – NEO model
• X – ACF (Airbus Cabin Flex)