The first Airbus aircraft produced by the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility in Mobile, Alabama, is scheduled to fly for the first time next week as part of its production testing program. Barring any weather or other pre-flight test factors, the A321 destined for Jetblue will take-off for the first time on March 21 at 9:15 a.m. CDT.
A test flight is a normal step in aircraft production and takes place prior to the delivery of the aircraft to the customer. Following the flight, the aircraft will go through a few more weeks of final delivery preparations.
Airbus cautions that with any test flight, weather or other external factors could affect the decision to fly, right up to take-off. Be sure to follow the Airbus in the U.S. on Facebook and Twitter for the most up-to-date information about the flight, and photos after the completion of the flight.
18 March 2016 Press Release