The Frequency of Jet Engine Replacement on Passenger Planes by Airlines
Picture credit goes to Matthew Horwood from Getty Images.
If you're not an expert in fixing airplanes, you probably don't think about how they are maintained on a daily basis. However, it's crucial for commercial aircraft that transport millions of people globally to be well-maintained for the sake of safety and efficiency. Simply Flying recently posted an article discussing the factors that determine the number of engines a plane will use over its lifetime.
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To figure out the number of engines an airplane will need throughout its life, it's crucial to be aware of how long that life will last. Unlike cars or rewards programs for frequent flyers, an airliner's life expectancy is determined by flight cycles. A flight cycle is when the airplane takes off and lands, regardless of how far it traveled, and even includes touch-and-go landings. The most demanding parts of a flight for an airplane are the takeoffs and landings.
Different planes have varying lifespans based on their size and material composition. The Airbus A320, which is a narrowbody plane designed for only short distances, can last a whopping near 50,000 flights! However, widebody planes that fly longer distances have a lifespan that can vary between 25,000 to 45,000 cycles. For instance, the renowned Boeing 747 plane has a durability of 35,000 flights. On the other hand, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which is structured with composite materials, can last up to 44,000 flight cycles - 9,000 flights more than the 747 jumbo jet.
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Eventually, the airplane’s jet engines will need replacing before the aircraft's lifetime is over. Typically, engines get overhauled two or three times before they are retired. For instance, narrowbody engines usually get replaced after completing around 12,000 flight cycles. The number of cycles is then reduced to 8,000 before the second overhaul, and finally drops to 4,000 for the third overhaul. However, some airlines prefer to replace the engines instead of engaging in costly further rebuilds.
Based on our rough calculations, an Airbus A320 would need to replace its engines three to four times throughout its entire lifespan. If we suppose that our hypothetical A320 operates exclusively for short-haul flights with four trips per day, it could stay in service for thirty years or more. This extended period of service is hoped to be enough to recover the cost of the $100 million investment in the aircraft.
