Qatar Airways has reconfirmed and upsized its earlier order for 50 A320neos with a firm order instead for 50 of the larger A321neo ACF (Airbus Cabin Flex) configuration.

The order — replacing the original contract from 2011 — was signed in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, and French President Emmanuel Macron.

The 2011 order included 30 A320neos, 14 A321neos and 6 A319neos, subsequently modified to 34 A320neos and 16 A321neos.

The aircraft are scheduled to join Qatar Airways’ current fleet of 50 A320neos from 2019 onwards. The total value of the deal is at $6.35bn at list prices.

Neither Qatar nor Airbus has officially commented on the engine choice for these aircraft — CFM Leap 1A or Pratt & Whitney PW1100G. The airline had picked the PW1100G for its original order, but the illustration released with the new order announcement shows Leap engines.

Qatar was originally launch customer for the A320neo but refused to accept delivery of initial PW1100G-powered A320s due to engine and other issues.

The A321 is the largest member of the A320 Family, seating up to 240 passengers in ACF configuration. The A321neo ACF introduces new door and fuselage enhancements, designed to allow airlines to make better use of the cabin space and also provide provision for more underfloor fuel capacity for up to 4,000nm transatlantic range.