First U.S.-built A321 has test flight

A321 built for JetBlue takes off Monday.
Michelle Thomas, Gulf Coast Reporters League

MOBILE, Ala. – The first Airbus jetliner produced in the United States took off today for its first flight. The A321, built for JetBlue at the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility in Mobile, Ala., lifted from the runway at 9:36 a.m. CDT. More than 300 employees cheered as the plane took off. A test flight is a normal step in aircraft production and takes place prior to the delivery of the aircraft to the customer. The jetliner landed at 1:02 p.m. after a three-hour, 26-minute flight. The single-aisle, twin-engine aircraft will go through a few more weeks of final delivery preparations. (Source: GCRL, 03/21/16)