What is an A320-232?

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Most A320 flights these days are on the A320-200. I think a tiny percentage are on the A320-100 but I think only a few of those were made.

However some airlines fly the A320-232. I know that BA for one, has both A320-200s and A320-232s. Question: What is the difference?

Original post

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Isn't that just the number assigned to their fleet/company, for example most of the BA Boeing fleet end in 36:

B737-436
B747-436
B757-236 etc, etc.

Can anyone explain it a little better than me?

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The -36 only applies to Boeing/BA as far as I know.

Also the A320-232 is operated by a number of different airlines.

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Yes your right, many airlines do operate this type. Im unsure then?

There are a few types, 211, 212, 214, 231, 232, 233.

And whereas I can see there is only one type of the 100 model, the 111?

Sorry Mongu. :(

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Only Boeing uses the numerical designation for specific customers, like BA for instance, was mentioned with the number '36' being theirs. Airbus doesn't use that, however. Their designation, I believe, refers to a model type, with engines being a factor, amongst other things. For instance, A CFM56 powered A320 has a different designation than a IAE V2500 powered model.

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yeah, as GD says, basically, it's down to the engine option...

I'm not sure of the exact differentiation, so won't try and explain that, although I will have a go at explaining the -100/-200...

as mongu said, only about a dozen of the original A320-100's were made, before ailerons were added as standard, and these aircraft (with ailerons) are the -200 series. BA have several -100's (inherited from B Cal) as well as several -200's, also from the 80's.

I believe the ones they are receiving now (along with the A319's) are IGW machines, accounting for them being -232 as opposed to the original -200's.

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All -232 use V2527 engines...thats all.

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right, as I have nothing better to do, I've gone through the G-INFO database and can now confirm the following 6 types of A320 are registered on the UK registry.

A320-111 as I said, BA have 5 of these early production models without wing fences. they're powered by CFM56-5A1's

A320-211. also powered by CFM56-5A1's

A320-212. powered by CFM56-5A3's.

A320-214. powered by CFM56-5B4/P's.

A320-231. powered by IAE V2500-A1's.

A320-232. powered by IAE V2527-A5's.

And while I'm at it... there are only two types of A321 on the UK registry, they are...

A321-211. powered by CFM56-5B3/P's.

A321-231. powered by IAE V2533-A5's.

There are no A321-100's on the UK registry, although these are the original model, the -200 is the IGW version, with an increased range of 5500nm as opposed to the 5000nm on the A321-100.

and finally, the 33 BA A319's are are all the same series, and there is one solitary other A319 on the UK registry, operated by twinjet, and this is a different series (it's the A319-132):

A319-131. powered by IAE V2522-A5's

A319-132. powered by IAE V2524-A5's.

So, in summary... Airbus single aisle aircraft that are -x1x are CFM powered, and those that are -x3x are IAE powered... don't ask me how Airbus are fitting the 318's PW6000's into the equation, though...

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Above post is correct. To summerise:

The Airbus types go with the three numbers:
First = the series
Second = the manufacturer of the engine
Third = the engine type

There are no real A320-200's as such, all A320-2** are referred to as A320-200's as most people don't know (or probably care) what the other two numbers are and the series is the most important.

Boeing codes are dependant on the first operator of that aircraft, but the two numbers will never change throughout the history of that aircraft, it will always use the same ones of the first operator. As said above BA's is 36, if you would like to find out more airline codes then go here:
http://www.plane-mad.com/airline_info.php

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With Boeing aircraft the last 2 digits/letters are the identification of the airline for whom the aircraft was ORIGINALLY built. This establishes the spec to which the aircraft was originally built. If the aircraft changes ownership the number remains the same but the new owner may chose to change the spec to match his own fleet.