Pratt & Whitney’s PurePower Geared Turbofan™ engines successfully completed its first test flight on the Airbus A321neo.

The PW1135G-JM engine, a 35,000 thrust class engine, for the Airbus A321neo aircraft, is the most powerful engine on the A321neo. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. company.

“The PurePower engine continues to meet commitments for fuel burn, emissions and noise, and today’s first flight on the A321neo is another milestone achievement for this innovative engine,” said Greg Gernhardt, president, Pratt & Whitney Commercial Engine Programs.

“We look forward to supporting Airbus through the testing and certification of this aircraft.”

The 35,000 thrust rating gives airlines the capability to fly longer routes while carrying more passengers or payloads. The PW1135G-JM engine also allows an A321neo operator to benefit from increased payload/range when flying out of high-altitude airports at elevations greater than 4,000 feet, such as Mexico City.

The Geared Turbofan engine architecture also allows room for growth – as demonstrated by the additional 2 percent fuel burn enhancement offered to operators to further reinforce the A320neo’s 20 percent fuel burn savings by 2020.

The PW1100G-JM engine for the A320neo was certified in 2014 and the A320neo received certification in November 2015.

Lufthansa began flying its first A320neo, powered by Pratt & Whitney PurePower engines, in January 2016.