How Much Drag Does an A320neo Face at Cruise? ✈️

Let us estimate it at 35,000 ft (10,668 m) and 850 km/h true airspeed.

• Air density, ρ ≈ 0.380 kg/m³

• Speed, V = 236.111 m/s

• Wing reference area, S = 122.4 m²

• Assumed whole-aircraft drag coefficient, Cᴅ = 0.025

Using D = ½ρV²SCᴅ, estimated aerodynamic drag is 32.41 kN. In steady, level flight, total engine thrust must approximately balance that drag.

If we additionally assume a cruise mass of 65,000 kg, lift is approximately 637.4 kN, giving:

L/D ≈ 637.4 ÷ 32.41 ≈ 19.7

Altitude, speed and wing area alone cannot establish an aircraft’s actual drag or L/D. We also need its operating weight and aerodynamic data.

Disclaimer: This independent calculation is for educational and informational purposes only. It uses public information and stated assumptions; it is not an Airbus publication or an official A320neo performance figure. Airbus has not reviewed or endorsed it. Actual values vary with aircraft weight, configuration, atmospheric conditions and flight speed. Technical corrections are welcome.