About the Airbus A318
The A318 entered service in 2003. Airbus’s parent company recorded early deliveries to Frontier Airlines and Air France that year. The design is part of the same single-aisle family as the A319, A320, and A321, with a shorter fuselage. If an airline booking mentions only the A320 family, check the aircraft details for the individual model.
Seating capacity
The manufacturer’s historical reference lists 107 seats for a two-class A318 configuration. Air France published a different example with 131 seats. These figures come from different layouts. Neither gives a maximum for the entire model. If you are choosing a seat, check the operating airline’s map for the aircraft assigned to your flight.
Cabin layout
One aisle runs through the passenger cabin. Air France’s A318 fleet guide includes a 131-seat plan and describes how the business-class area can change with demand. Air France also says it keeps the middle seat free in business class. That policy is specific to the airline’s cabin example. A seat plan can help you tell which rows are close to an exit or whether a window seat is available on the planned aircraft.
How to recognize an Airbus A318
Air France lists the A318 at 31.44 meters, or roughly 103 feet, and its A319 at 33.84 meters, or roughly 111 feet. Their published wingspans are the same in those examples. A side view therefore gives a better clue than a view directly from the front. The angle of a photograph can still make the fuselage appear shorter, so check the registration against the recorded aircraft model when possible.
A318 variants and related aircraft
The FAA lists both the passenger A318 and the business-oriented A318 Elite under code A318. The shared code does not tell you what the interior looks like. The longer A319 and A320 each have their own codes and can be selected separately on the map.
Frequently asked questions
How many seats does an Airbus A318 have?
That depends on the layout. Airbus’s historical reference lists a 107-seat two-class example, and Air France publishes a plan with 131 seats. Check the airline’s plan for the aircraft on your flight.
Is the A318 shorter than the A319?
Yes. The Air France figures differ by 2.4 meters, or about eight feet. On the map the two use different codes, A318 and A319.