The Airbus A320 is a widely recognized aircraft, known for its single-aisle design and versatility. With more than 12,000 deliveries worldwide, it is a common sight in global aviation. However, a small number of routes see this popular jet operate only once per year. These unique flights connect diverse locations, often served by smaller charter airlines, presenting an interesting aspect of air travel.
Key Takeaways
- The Airbus A320 is the most popular single-aisle aircraft globally.
- Eight specific routes feature the A320 flying only once per year.
- These rare flights often involve charter operators like Avion Express Malta and FLYYO.
- Destinations range from European cities to Middle Eastern and Asian hubs.
The Airbus A320: A Global Workhorse
The Airbus A320 family includes the A319, A320, and A321 models. It is highly valued for its efficiency and comfort. Major airlines such as American Airlines, China Eastern, IndiGo, easyJet, and China Southern each operate over 340 A320 aircraft. This widespread use makes the existence of extremely infrequent A320 routes particularly notable.
Data from Cirium, an aviation analytics firm, identifies these rare flights. They are scheduled to operate just once in a given year. These services often connect less common city pairs or are part of specialized charter contracts. The airlines involved may not be as well-known as the global carriers.
"The A320's adaptability allows it to serve a vast range of routes, from high-frequency corridors to these unique, once-a-year connections," an aviation analyst noted.
A320 Family Fast Facts
- Deliveries: Over 12,000 worldwide
- Design: Single-aisle, narrow-body jetliner
- Features: One of the widest single-aisle cabins
- Models: A319, A320, A321
Rare Route 1: Berlin to Hurghada
One of the rarest A320 flights connects Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) in Germany with Hurghada International Airport (HRG) in Egypt. This service is operated by Avion Express Malta. It covers a distance of 2,030 miles (3,266 km).
The flight duration is approximately four hours and 35 minutes southbound. The return journey takes about four hours and 50 minutes. Only one round trip is scheduled by the airline for the year. The Airbus A320 used for this route typically has 151 seats. This single flight provides 306,530 available seat miles (ASMs).
About Avion Express Malta
Avion Express Malta is a subsidiary of Avion Express. It operates as an ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) provider. The airline specializes in offering short-term and long-term wet lease solutions, primarily using its fleet of A320 aircraft for charter services.
Hurghada is a popular tourist destination on the Red Sea. Visitors enjoy attractions like Makadi Water World and Jungle Aqua Park. Cultural sites include the El Dahar Bazaar and the Hurghada Museum.
Rare Route 2: Cluj-Napoca to Hurghada
Another infrequent service by Avion Express Malta links Avram Iancu Cluj International Airport (CLJ) in western Romania to Hurghada. This flight spans 1,460 miles (2,349 km). The direct flight time is about three hours and 40 minutes.
Similar to the Berlin route, this service uses an Airbus A320 with 151 seats. The total available seat miles for this single operation is 220,460. Cluj-Napoca is Romania's second-largest city. Its airport, CLJ, is the country's second busiest. It serves many year-round and seasonal operators.
Cluj-Napoca Airport Operations
- Year-round operators: Animawings, HiSky, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Pegasus Airlines, Ryanair, Swiss International, TAROM, Turkish Airlines, Wizz Air.
- Seasonal operators: Corendon Airlines, Sky Express, SkyUp.
Rare Route 3: Tel Aviv to Košice
FLYYO, a Romanian charter and ACMI operator, features a rare A320 flight between Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) in Israel and Košice International Airport (KSC) in eastern Slovakia. This route covers 1,351 miles (2,161 km).
FLYYO operates a fleet of three leased Airbus A320s. The airline focuses on charter services from Tel Aviv to various European destinations. The single yearly flight to Košice offers 151 seats. This results in 204,001 available seat miles.
Košice is known for its UNESCO-protected Primeval Beech Forests. It was also a European Capital of Culture in 2008. The city is popular in winter for its ski resorts, attracting international visitors with many charter flights from Europe.
Rare Route 4: Kaunas to Athens
FLYYO also operates a single Airbus A320 flight between Kaunas Airport (KUN) in Lithuania and Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport (ATH) in Greece. This service covers 1,172 miles (1,875 km).
The flight accommodates 151 passengers. It generates 176,972 ASMs. Kaunas Airport is Lithuania's second busiest. It serves as a hub for Ryanair, providing numerous low-cost flights across Europe. Other operators include airBaltic and Wizz Air.
Rare Route 5: Kraków to Tel Aviv
Another FLYYO service involves a single flight between John Paul II International Airport Kraków-Balice (KRK) in Poland and Tel Aviv. This route spans 1,469 miles (2,350 km).
The scheduled flight time is about three hours and 35 minutes southbound, and three hours and 45 minutes on the return. FLYYO, also known as FLYYO by Aerro Direkt S.R.L., began charter operations in April 2024. The airline is headquartered near Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP) in Romania.
Kraków Airport is a focus city for Buzz, LOT Polish Airlines, and Wizz Air. Kraków itself is a city rich in history and culture. Key attractions include Wawel Castle, Market Square, Kazimierz, the Wieliczka Salt Mine, and Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Rare Route 6: Ramon Airport to Paris Charles de Gaulle
FLYYO will also connect Ilan and Asaf Ramon International Airport (ETM), near Eilat, Israel, with Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in France. This charter service directly links the French capital to the Timna Valley in southern Israel.
The flight distance is 2,161 miles (3,457 km). The approximate flight time is four hours and 30 minutes, with a return time of five hours and 30 minutes. The A320 on this route carries 151 seats, totaling 326,311 available seat miles.
Ramon Airport has a single runway and handles year-round domestic flights. International services are typically charter-based. Ryanair ceased operations there in 2023. Red Wings Airlines, a Russian carrier, plans to launch direct services from Moscow Zhukovsky in October.
Rare Route 7: Chengdu Tianfu to Chiang Mai
A direct flight between Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) in China and Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) in Thailand is scheduled to operate only once in 2025. This service covers 864 miles (1,382 km).
Sichuan Airlines operates this route with an Airbus A320 configured for 138 seats. This provides 77,832 available seat miles. Chiang Mai is a popular tourist destination in Asia, known for its culture and ancient temples. Many Chinese carriers serve the airport, but Sichuan Airlines' A320 will make a single visit.
CNX is Thailand's fourth busiest airport and a major gateway to the northern region. It is managed by Airports of Thailand and serves as an operating base for Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, and Thai AirAsia.
Rare Route 8: Chengdu Shuangliu to Pu'er Simao
Sichuan Airlines has scheduled a single service in 2025 between Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) and Pu'er Simao Airport (SYM) in China. This route covers 564 miles (902 km).
Pu'er Simao is a city in China's Yunnan province. It is historically known for Pu'er tea production and as a trading hub on the Ancient Tea Horse Road. In 2025, the A320 on this journey will have 163 seats, generating 91,932 available seat miles.
Pu'er Simao Airport is relatively small. It has two year-round scheduled operators: Colorful Guizhou Airlines (to Chengdu Tianfu) and Tibet Airlines (to Changsha, Chongqing, Xi'an, and Zhaotong).
