I don't know my planes very well. Is there any real significant difference between all these A320 and A321's? Cliff Notes version preferred.

 

The obvious difference is the length difference: The A321 is noticably longer than the A320. The less obvious things that come to my mind are all connected to the increased length: more pax possible, higher weight, most likely higher engine thrust,...

I have no clue about the different enige versions, though (CFM vs IAE)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbus_A320_family

Wow, mostly engine variants. Do most simmers really care to have 6 different engine variants on one model? I sure don't.

Wow, mostly engine variants. Do most simmers really care to have 6 different engine variants on one model? I sure don't.

I do, because IIRC there is a difference between the CFM and IAE reversers (coud be wrong, though). Other than that, I haven't yet noticed huge differences, but I guess that the engine performance is not the same for all models.

There is only 2 engine variants, and yes simmers care because they like to apply their real life livery to the correct engine animation.  The reverser are different on the models.

There is only 2 engine variants,

Eh? According to that link, there are 5 different A321 engine setups.

Where do you see 5 setups? I only see three for the whole A32x family: CFM 56-5 series (A318, A319, A320, A321), P&W PW6000 series (A318 only), IAE v2500 series (A319, A320, A321), and the two the A320/321 uses are included in the AAX/AXE.

The CFM/PW/IAE series have some different variants as well, mostly in terms of thrust ratings. The -2xx after A320 specifies which specific engines it has.

I think you should try the one labelled 'Airbus A321' first and then any of the other A320/A321 next..........that's the biggest difference :LMAO:

 

After that, the next big difference is in the airline livery, then whether or not the model includes sharklets and then into the details like engine manufacturer, as discussed above.