Check out the $600 million Alabama factory where Airbus builds jets for American, Delta, and JetBlue

Advertisement
Check out the $600 million Alabama factory where Airbus builds jets for American, Delta, and JetBlue

Airbus Mobile FAL

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Airbus Mobile A320-family final assembly line.

Advertisement

Over the last five decades, Airbus has developed into a global aviation giant. The European consortium and Boeing now make up the duopoly that dominates the global commercial aircraft industry.

But most people are not aware of the substantial manufacturing footprint Toulouse, France-based Airbus has in the US. This includes helicopters in Mississippi and satellites in Florida.

And then there's the crown jewel, the commercial aircraft final assembly line in Mobile, Alabama.

This is where the company produces Airbus A320-family jets for US customers such as American, Delta, Jetblue, Frontier, Spirit, Allegiant, and Hawaiian Airlines.

Advertisement

The Airbus A320-family of jets, which includes the A319, A320, and A321, is also assembled in Toulouse, France; Hamburg, Germany; and Tianjin, China.

Read more: The amazing story of how the Airbus A320 became the Boeing 737's greatest rival.

The European aviation giant first made its presence felt in Mobile with the establishment of the Airbus Engineering Center in January 2007 that has since helped develop systems for the Airbus A330, A350, and A380 airliners.

Back then, there were quite a few people within the company that questioned whether a Mobile campus was really needed, Airbus Group CEO Tom Enders recounted to reporters in January. There are "no longer" any doubters, Enders added.

In January, Airbus broke ground on a second final assembly line at its Mobile complex to build the new A220 airliner. The A220, previously known as the Bombardier C Series, is currently assembled exclusively in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada.

Advertisement

Read more: Boeing started a trade dispute with Canada, but Airbus and Alabama ended up being the winners.

The new Mobile A220 plant is expected to produce four planes a month, Airbus Americas CEO Jeff Knittel told reporters.

Shortly, after the groundbreaking ceremony, Business Insider got the chance to step inside the A320 plant.

Here's a closer look at the Airbus A320-family production facility in Mobile, Alabama.

{{}}

The Airbus A320 final assembly line or FAL in Airbus parlance is a 53-acre facility just a few minutes drive from downtown Mobile.

The Airbus A320 final assembly line or FAL in Airbus parlance is a 53-acre facility just a few minutes drive from downtown Mobile.

Business Insider had the chance to visit the facility as part of the groundbreaking festivities of a new Airbus A220 production line.

Business Insider had the chance to visit the facility as part of the groundbreaking festivities of a new Airbus A220 production line.
Advertisement

Our first stop was the delivery center. It's where airlines pick up their new planes.

Our first stop was the delivery center. It's where airlines pick up their new planes.

Here's an unobstructed view of the delivery center.

Here's an unobstructed view of the delivery center.
Advertisement

We didn't take delivery of any new planes. But, we did attend a press briefing with senior Airbus executives including (L to R) America's CEO Jeff Knittel, Commercial Airplanes president Guillaume Faury, Group CEO Tom Enders, and A220 program boss Philippe Balducchi.

We didn't take delivery of any new planes. But, we did attend a press briefing with senior Airbus executives including (L to R) America's CEO Jeff Knittel, Commercial Airplanes president Guillaume Faury, Group CEO Tom Enders, and A220 program boss Philippe Balducchi.

Looking out from the delivery center, we see jets bound for Delta, Spirit, and Frontier.

Looking out from the delivery center, we see jets bound for Delta, Spirit, and Frontier.
Advertisement

There's also an Airbus A321neo awaiting some finishing touches. Soon, it'll be flying for Hawaiian Airlines.

There's also an Airbus A321neo awaiting some finishing touches. Soon, it'll be flying for Hawaiian Airlines.

Here's what it'll look like once finished.

Here's what it'll look like once finished.
Advertisement

Other airlines to take delivery of planes from the factory include American and...

Other airlines to take delivery of planes from the factory include American and...

...JetBlue.

...JetBlue.
Advertisement

The Airbus facility also includes a paint shop and a transshipment hangar where parts are gathered before being moved onto the assembly line.

The Airbus facility also includes a paint shop and a transshipment hangar where parts 
are gathered before being moved onto the assembly line.

Parts of the A320-family come from factories around the world. For example, the vertical stabilizer is made in Germany.

Parts of the A320-family come from factories around the world. For example, the vertical stabilizer is made in Germany.
Advertisement

While the forward fuselage is made in France. In addition, the wings are made in the UK while the horizontal stabilizers are made in Spain.

While the forward fuselage is made in France. In addition, the wings are made in the UK while the horizontal stabilizers are made in Spain.

Here's the assembly hangar.

Here's the assembly hangar.
Advertisement

The Mobile assembly plant opened for business in 2015.

The Mobile assembly plant opened for business in 2015.

In April 2016, Airbus delivered its first Mobile made aircraft, an A321ceo, to JetBlue.

In April 2016, Airbus delivered its first Mobile made aircraft, an A321ceo, to JetBlue.
Advertisement

The first thing you notice is just how clean and neatly organized the assembly line is.

The first thing you notice is just how clean and neatly organized the assembly line is.

On the wall is a rundown of US airlines that fly Airbus jets.

On the wall is a rundown of US airlines that fly Airbus jets.
Advertisement

Another reminder this isn't Toulouse or Hamburg.

Another reminder this isn't Toulouse or Hamburg.

The factory is structured to have parts enter the hangar on one end and...

The factory is structured to have parts enter the hangar on one end and...
Advertisement

...Exit as assembled aircraft on the other.

...Exit as assembled aircraft on the other.

Here's a rear fuselage that is waiting to be...

Here's a rear fuselage that is waiting to be...
Advertisement

...Merged with the forward fuselage.

...Merged with the forward fuselage.

As the aircraft moves down the line, more and more bits are installed onto the fuselage.

 As the aircraft moves down the line, more and more bits are installed onto the fuselage.
Advertisement

Such as wings and...

Such as wings and...

... Landing gear.

... Landing gear.
Advertisement

On the far end, there is what looks to be an Airbus A321 bound for Delta Air Lines.

On the far end, there is what looks to be an Airbus A321 bound for Delta Air Lines.

According to Airbus Americas CEO Jeff Knittel, the A320 line produces an average of four and a half planes a month.

According to Airbus Americas CEO Jeff Knittel, the A320 line produces an average of four and a half planes a month.
Advertisement

Knittel expects production to be at five planes a month by the end of 2020.

Knittel expects production to be at five planes a month by the end of 2020.