It seems we are now less than four months away from the first commercial flights aboard the new Airbus A321XLR – a single-wing aircraft hailed as a “game changer” for its ability to fly long transoceanic routes. (The “XLR” in the A321XLR stands for “Extra Long Range”.)
In recent weeks, Spanish flag carrier Iberia has shared images of its first A321XLR leaving Airbus’ paint shop in Toulouse, France.
The glimpse comes nearly two months after the OneWorld Alliance member carrier announced it would be the world’s first airline to fly the new aircraft.
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In fact, Iberia is already selling first seats on its first XLR, which features 14 lie-flat seats in business class.
Now, if you’re hoping to fly off the jet — in one of American Airlines’ new flagship suites, no less — you’re in for a little longer than expected.
But the aircraft itself is coming soon.
Iberia’s first A321XLR flights scheduled
Iberia’s booking channels show nonstop XLR service between Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) beginning November 14.
The airline’s website also shows additional service from MAD to Dulles International Airport (IAD) beginning in January.
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Those plans moved forward in mid-July when Airbus announced approval from European Union regulators for the jet’s fuel-efficient engines.
In a statement announcing the EU approval, the French plane-maker boasted that the aircraft “sits side by side with widebodies in the airline fleet.”
That’s a big reason why carriers — from Iberia to American to United Airlines — have big plans for the jet, which has a true international business class experience ahead.
read more: How to book Iberia flights to Spain (and beyond) using Avios
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In a May statement, Iberia noted that the A321XLR will “strengthen its long-haul network” thanks to its combination of longer range and smaller passenger capacity.
With a range of 4,700 nautical miles — much more than you’ll find on other narrow-body jets — the aircraft will be able to fly specific routes between the US and Europe (like, for example, Madrid and Boston).
Iberia’s XLR will only carry 182 passengers. In comparison, its fleet of wide-body A330 jets has a passenger capacity of around 300 and its A350 can accommodate 348 passengers.
With fewer seats to fill than larger, wide-body jets, airlines see the XLR as a way to fly long “thin” routes that might not get enough bookings to fill an A330… or a Boeing 777, or a 787 Dreamliner. Empty seats on it can quickly reduce profits.
That’s the strategy JetBlue uses short-haul A321LRs on its transatlantic routes to fly between cities in the Northeast and several destinations in Northwest Europe.
That low-risk proposition could give carriers more leeway to experiment with offering nonstop flights from the US to more “off-the-beaten-path” destinations in Europe — or flying from smaller US points of origin to major European cities. .
Similarly, airlines will be able to continue flying certain routes year-round instead of pausing for off-peak months.
“Not only will we be able to expand seasonal routes to year-round routes … but we’ll also be able to fly to new, popular destinations that we couldn’t before,” said Kimberly Cisek, American Airlines’ vice president of customer experience, aircraft in Hamburg, Germany. said during remarks at the Interiors Expo in late May.
American’s XLR plans
Like the popular A321T, however, American’s XLRs will lean heavily toward premium, with a heavy proportion of its flagship business suites, premium economy cabins, and extra-legroom main cabin extra seats in the rear.
Expected in 2025
When the American XLR will start flying, however, remains a bit unclear. On the carrier’s late July earnings call, CEO Robert Isom said the jet is expected to join the fleet in 2025. American executives had earlier targeted the end of 2024.
Airbus delivery timelines have fallen slightly recently, with the company citing supply chain difficulties tempering expectations for a late June delivery.
Bottom line
For its part, Iberia similarly plans to emphasize the premium on the eight total XLRs it is due to receive in the coming months; There will be 14 business pods on board, each with direct aisle access and 18-inch, 4K entertainment screens.
Once the XLR begins its first commercial service — possibly by November — it will offer travelers a narrow-body, transatlantic option that might only be comparable to JetBlue’s mint cabin, which flies between the Northeast and Europe.
Meanwhile, bookings for the first XLR flights are open on Iberia’s website, whether you’re hoping to use cash or Avios.
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