N986NK

This airframe, registered as N986NK, is an Airbus A320-271N (A320neo) completed in 2023 with manufacturer serial number 11643. It is owned and operated by Spirit Airlines (corporation, United States) and is registered in the US; the airframe entered the Spirit fleet following delivery from Airbus in 2023. Registered in the United States upon delivery and operating in a high-utilization, low-cost carrier environment, the aircraft’s operational history consists primarily of short- to medium-haul scheduled service out of Spirit’s U.S. bases. Valuation and specific condition reports for this tail are not publicly published.

This specific A320neo is operated in a single-aisle, high-density carrier configuration typical for Spirit Airlines; the family-standard seating range is 150–180 passengers, though the airline’s proprietary layout details are not published for this airframe. The aircraft’s mission profile centers on short- and medium-haul point-to-point routes across the continental United States, Caribbean, and nearby international destinations, exploiting the A320neo’s improved fuel efficiency and range. Avionics and systems are standard Airbus A320neo fit for carrier operations; any operator-specific avionics options or interior modifications for N986NK have not been disclosed. Maintenance follows operator and manufacturer programs appropriate to high-frequency, single-aisle commercial operations with Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan engines.

The Airbus A320-271N (A320neo family) for which N986NK is an example occupies the high-demand single-aisle short- to medium-range market, offering significant fuel-burn improvements over previous A320ceo variants. Competing models include the Boeing 737 MAX family and other narrowbodies upgraded with new-generation engines. For operators like Spirit, the A320neo’s fuel efficiency, commonality with A320ceo-type fleets, and range of 3,400 nm make it attractive for dense, cost-sensitive networks; resale and maintenance considerations focus on engine shop visits for the PW1127G-JM and the aircraft’s high-utilization wear profile.