The Airbus A320 family consists of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus. The family includes the A318, A319, A320 and A321, and the ACJ business jet. The A320s are also named A320ceo (current engine option) after the introduction of the A320neo. Final assembly of the family in Europe takes place in Toulouse, France, and Hamburg, Germany. Starting in 2009, a plant in Tianjin, China, has also been producing aircraft for Chinese airlines. In April 2013, Airbus started construction of a new production facility for the A319, A320, and A321 variants in Mobile, Alabama. The aircraft family can accommodate up to 220 passengers and has a range of 3, 100 to 12, 000 km (1, 700 to 6, 500 nmi), depending on model. The A320 family pioneered the use of digital fly-by-wire flight control systems, as well as side-stick controls, in commercial aircraft. There has been a continuous improvement process since introduction. In December 2010, Airbus officially launched the new generation of the A320 family with the A320neo "New Engine Option". The new generation offers a choice of the CFM International LEAP-X or Pratt & Whitney PW1000G, combined with airframe improvements and the addition of winglets, named Sharklets by Airbus. The aircraft will deliver fuel savings of up to 15%. Virgin America will be the launch customer for the aircraft in spring of 2016. As of December 2011, a total of 1, 196 A320neo family aircraft have been ordered by 21 airlines, making it the fastest ever selling commercial aircraft. As of 31 October 2014, a total of 6, 285 Airbus A320 family aircraft have been delivered, of which 6, 053 are in service. In addition, another 4, 709 airliners are of which 6, 053 are in service. In addition, another 4, 709 airliners are on firm order. It ranked as the world's fastest-selling jet airliner family according to records from 2005 to 2007.
