Alabamians just finished building the first ever US-made Airbus airplane and it’s beautiful

—

March 4, 2016

First Alabama-made Airbus aircraft emerges from the paint shop. (Image: Airbus)

airbus-jetblue-1

MOBILE, Alabama — The first Alabama-made Airbus A321 is sporting JetBlue colors.

Airbus said today that painting of its maiden U.S.-built passenger jet has been completed in its paintshop at the company’s new, $600 million facility at Mobile Aeroplex. The aircraft emerged wearing JetBlue livery.

“This latest milestone shows that the first aircraft to be produced at the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility is progressing well on its route to first flight and delivery in spring 2016,” Airbus said in a release.

The aircraft left the production floor at the Airbus Alabama campus last month for the paintshop, which is operated by Ireland-based MAAS Aviation.

Airbus’ Alabama workforce started assembling the first aircraft shortly after the plane’s major components arrived at the Port of Mobile last June via cargo ship from Europe. Airbus plans to assemble four to five aircraft per month at the Alabama facility once production ramps up. The manufacturing operation will eventually support 1,000 jobs in Mobile.

The first Alabama-made Airbus A321 enters the paint shop. (Image: MAAS Aviation)

Also today, another shipment of major aircraft components arrived at the Airbus campus.

New @AirbusInTheUS parts arrived at @MobileAeroplex today. #Airbus #Avgeek #MobileAL pic.twitter.com/SPx85e9QyR

— Mobile Aeroplex (@MobileAeroplex) March 4, 2016

Recent in Uncategorized

Alabama Republicans elect Stadthagen as state party chairman

Sawyer Knowles — 2 weeks ago

The Alabama Republican Party elected State Rep. Scott Stadthagen (R-Hartselle) as chairman Saturday following a three-way race that went to a runoff at the party’s 2026 Winter Meeting in Hoover. Stadthagen, former House Majority Leader John Merrill, and Joan Reynolds competed for the position, which opened following John Wahl’s recent resignation to run for Lt. […]

Voyagers in Orange Beach lands on OpenTable Top 100 Romantic Restaurants list

Sherri Blevins — February 08, 2026

As February begins, many Alabamians start planning how to celebrate Valentine’s Day. The state offers a wide range of romantic destinations, and one Orange Beach restaurant has earned national recognition — Voyagers at Perdido Beach Resort has been named to OpenTable’s 2026 Top 100 Romantic Restaurants list. According to OpenTable, the annual list is compiled […]