Pratt & Whitney and Frontier Airlines have marked the arrival of the carrier's first Airbus A321neo aircraft, fitted with Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, at a celebration at Tampa International Airport.
In recognition of the companies' relationship, Frontier asked Pratt & Whitney employees to name the first three aircraft. The first plane was named ‘Frederick the Bald Eagle’ in honour of the engine builder’s founder Frederick B. Rentschler, recognising the nearly 100-year history of the company.
The aircraft features Pratt & Whitney's hallmark bald eagle on the tail and marks the first of 144 A320neo family aircraft – 134 purchased and 10 leased – for which Frontier has selected the GTF engine. In the coming months, Frontier will reveal two additional aircraft named after other Pratt & Whitney pioneers, each with its own unique tail design.
Rick Deurloo, president of commercial engines at Pratt & Whitney, said: “Our employees are the true trailblazers, who are committed to developing the transformative technologies that will allow the industry to achieve its commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. For the flying public, the Pratt & Whitney GTF engine means a focus on environmental responsibility with less fuel consumption, fewer emissions and lower noise – keeping fares low and contributing to quieter flights and cleaner communities.”
Frontier president and CEO Barry Biffle added: “We are thrilled to welcome our first A321neo, powered by Pratt & Whitney's groundbreaking GTF engines, to the Frontier fleet. Frontier is already America's greenest airline based on our young, highly fuel-efficient fleet, and these new aircraft will take us to the next level in terms of operational efficiency and a further lessening of our environmental footprint.”
Frederick Rentschler founded the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Company in Hartford, Connecticut in July 1925. The company's first product, designed by the end of that year, was an air-cooled, radial piston engine named the Wasp. The engine transformed the aviation industry and is the only aircraft engine to be designated an historic landmark to this day. The GTF engine extends Rentschler's vision and spirit of innovation with its geared fan design. Pratt & Whitney claim it has saved airlines more than 800 million gallons of fuel and over 8 million metric tons of CO2 since it entered service in January of 2016.
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