Ryanair's planned 400 single-aisle airliner order to result in GTF-engined versions of B737 and A320?

Ryanair B737-800, just one of the many in the solely 737 Ryanair fleet

The Financial Times has reported that Ryanair is planning to order 300 to 400 single-aisle airplanes within the next 18-24 months for delivery between 2012 and 2017.

Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1000G in B747 tests

This large potential order may provide Boeing and Airbus the impetus to come out with new iterations for their respective single-aisle airplanes, the B737 and A320, respectively. If ever that will be decided on by the two airliner companies, high on their agenda will surely be the possible use of the GTF powerplant from Pratt & Whitney, now called the PurePower PW1000G. The PurePower PW1000G has already been selected for the 2 planned airliners, the Bombardier CSeries and the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ). The powerplant has been flight tested in a B747-400 and in an A340 airliner as part of its test regime.

Bombardier CSeries

Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ)

If ever the Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1000G GTF powerplant will be used on either the B737 or A320, it has to be uprated to higher thrust ratings as these two planes are heavier than the Bombardier’s CSeries and the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ).

A320 taking off

For the new iterations of the B737 and A320, Boeing and Airbus can also use new technologies developed in their B787 and A350 programs. These can include

1. Composite materials

2. Electric and electronic systems

3. Flight planning

4. New seat designs

5. Entertainment systems

6. Some aerodynamic profiling

7. Others

Such a development trigerred by a Ryanair order will benefit the whole airline industry as it will offer lower cost alternatives.