July 30, 2026, © Leeham News: We looked at the expected efficiency gains from new engines for the next-generation narrowbody last week. Now we continue by looking at how new technologies can help make the airframe more efficient.
Airbus has announced that it will fly a “Wing of tomorrow” test on an A321neo, Figure 1. The normal A321neo wing is extended by 4.5m on each side with a wingtip that will be foldable in the final version.
Figure 1. The Airbus “Wing of tomorrow” test with extended wingtips. Source: Airbus.
For the flight tests on an existing A321neo, the tips will be fixed; the efficiency gains are not connected to the folding per se; it’s the increase in wingspan that will reduce the aircraft’s drag by decreasing induced drag.
We will now use the Leeham Aircraft Performance and Cost Model (APCM) to estimate the gains from such a wing. We will also look at what a change from an aluminum wing to a composite one will add. Finally, we design a new fuselage and estimate the total efficiency gain from the airframe of a next-generation narrowbody.
