Airbus shows A320-successor concepts: longer folding wings, open-fan engine, 20-30% lower fuel burn

Airbus/Next-Generation Single Aisle (A320 successor)

At its Airbus Summit in Toulouse, Airbus laid out the technologies for its next single-aisle airliner, due in the second half of the 2030s. Longer, thinner wings with folding tips and an open-fan engine lead the list, aiming for 20-30% better fuel efficiency and full compatibility with sustainable fuel. Hybrid-electric assistance is also being studied.

• Fuel-burn target: 20-30% better than today's models; able to run on 100% SAF.
• CFM's RISE open fan targets 20% lower fuel use; bypass ratio could reach about 60, versus 11-12 today.
• Wing of Tomorrow in the UK has built two of three full-scale wing demonstrators; folding-wing tests under way.
• Open-fan flight tests on a modified A380 planned by the end of the decade.