The Airbus A319, is so far the smallest member of the Airbus family, although with the first-flight of the A318, that position will go to the latter. To meet an increasingly defined market, Airbus launched the A319 on a single six aircraft order by ILFC in 1993. The aircraft is the longest ranged member of the A320 family, and it shares the same systems as the A320 and A321.

The development cost was some $275 million, and was financed entirely by the Airbus partners. In all essentials the A319 is a minimum change derivative of the A320 with the fuselage reduced by some 7 frames, to give a usable cabin length of 23.61m (77ft 5½ in), seating about 124 passengers in two-class configuration. The remainder of the aircraft is virtually unchanged, though it is unlikely that customers will require the A320/321 option of bogie main undercarriage. Maximum fuel capacity is the same as for the A320-200 at 23,860 lit (5,248 Imp gal). With either of the engine options - the CFM56-5A or V2522 or V2524 rated at 97.9-104.5kN (22,000-23,500lb) - the A319 offers exceptional range for what is termed a 'short/medium-range' airliner. Like the A321, the A319 is assembled by Daimler-Benz Airbus at Hamburg. The first A319 made its first flight on August 29, 1995. On the delivery of the second aircraft Air Canada, a class record was set of 6,645km (3,588nm) non-stop from Hamburg to Winnipeg. The A319 is seen as a likely basis for several military versions, including maritime patrol and battlefield surveillance. The A319 has proved extremely successful for Airbus, and in 1994, the A319 accounted for more orders than any other type in the Airbus range. Early operators included Swissair, Air Inter and Air Canada. Swissair have taken delivery of all three members of the narrow-body Airbus family, and its pilots can fly the A319, 320 and 321 on a single type rating, such is the similarity between the aircraft.

The latest version of the family is the Corporate Jet. The airframe and engines are identical to the standard variant, but can be equipped with up to six additional fuel tanks, which can be quickly added or removed to give extended range of up to 13,507km (6,500nm). The aircraft qualifies for reduced vertical separation minima (RVSM) and the future air navigation system (FANS).

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