The story
The A318 is the shortest and least-built member of the A320 family: 80 made, first flown in January 2002 and put into service by Frontier in 2003. Its fin is 75 cm taller than the other A320 variants. It can fly steep approaches of up to 5.5 degrees, which let British Airways run an all-business A318 from London City to New York from 2009 until 2020.
Air France is the last airline flying the A318 on scheduled passenger routes, and its final few are being replaced by A220s.
Quick answers
How do you identify a A318?
A320-family nose and wing on a noticeably stubby body, with a tail fin that looks a size too big. One overwing exit per side, like the A319, but the short body and tall fin give it away.
What does a A318 sound like?
A light CFM56 hum, quick off the runway for an Airbus.
How many passengers does the A318 carry?
Up to 132. A typical layout is 107 (2-class).
How far can the A318 fly?
Range is about 3,100 nmi.
How big is the A318?
It is 103 ft 2 in long and 111 ft 11 in across the wings.
When did the A318 first fly?
Its first flight was in 2002.
How many A318s have been built?
80 built.
What do crews call the A318?
Baby Bus.
How rare is a A318 in Bogey?
COMMON. Everyday traffic. You will catch plenty of these, and every first catch still counts. Your first A318 catch is worth 25 points.
