Which Airbus aircraft first used the name “neo” for its re-engined family?

The Airbus A320neo was the first Airbus aircraft family to use the “neo” name for a re-engined version.

“Neo” stands for “new engine option.” Airbus launched the A320neo programme in 2010 as an updated version of the A320 family, offering new-generation engines and aerodynamic improvements while retaining substantial commonality with earlier A320 aircraft.

The family’s first member to fly was the A320neo. It completed its first flight in September 2014, and the first aircraft was delivered to Lufthansa in January 2016. The A321neo and A319neo are related members of the same re-engined family, but they did not establish the programme’s name.

Airbus later applied “neo” to the A330neo, creating a separate re-engined wide-body family. Thus, A321neo is a valid aircraft name but not the original use of the branding.