California airline Virgin America announced this morning it will purchase 60 fuel efficient A320neo aircrafts from France’s Airbus for its fleet, possibly choosing the next generation of engine from East Hartford aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney.
Virgin has not yet announced its engine choice for the new aircraft, although Pratt & Whitney’s geared turbofan engine is one of two fuel efficient engines the airline could pick for its 60 new aircraft.
The Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan was developed in East Hartford and is being fitted for each company that chooses it over other new fuel efficient designs. The mass production of each specialized geared turbofan – also called PurePower by Pratt & Whitney – will take place likely near the customer. The engines being made for Canada’s Bombardier, Inc. will be assembled in Canada.
