Airbus A318

Twin Jet· 7 globally registered

The Airbus A318 is the smallest and rarest member of the A320 family, seating 107 passengers in typical two-class configuration. Launched in 1999 and entering service with Frontier Airlines in 2003, it was designed to compete with the Boeing 717 and earlier 737-600 in the 100-seat market segment. Despite sharing the A320's advanced fly-by-wire architecture and common type rating, the A318 struggled commercially, with only 80 aircraft delivered before production ended in 2013. Its modest sales reflected airlines' preference for the larger, more economical A319 and A320, which offered better seat-mile costs on thin routes. The A318 achieved a unique distinction as the only commercial jetliner certified for steep approach operations at London City Airport, thanks to its powerful CFM56-5B or PW6000 engines and advanced autothrottle system enabling the required 5.5-degree glideslope. Air France operated a dedicated all-business-class variant on the Paris Orly to London City route until 2020, marketed as La Première with just 32 lie-flat seats. The type's short fuselage and high thrust-to-weight ratio gave it excellent hot-and-high performance, making it popular for challenging airports despite its commercial disappointment. With a maximum takeoff weight of 68,000 kilograms and a range of 3,100 nautical miles, the A318 could operate transcontinental US routes or connect European cities to North Africa and the Middle East. Its approach speed of approximately 130 knots and maximum operating speed of 350 knots IAS or Mach 0.82 matched its larger siblings, preserving full commonality for pilots and maintenance crews. Today most A318s serve with smaller carriers or have been converted to corporate shuttles, their compact size proving more valuable in the VIP market than in commercial service. SkyMeter has tracked 109 flights across 7 airframes and 1 operators, with the largest observed operator.