Discovering the Airbus A321Xlr: the plane that will change long-haul flights

The ambition is to change flights, frequencies and long-haul habits by taking a single-aisle aircraft on routes never flown before. And with this idea, the next jewel in the Airbus house - the A321Xlr - has already racked up orders by fishing in both the low-cost and legacy sectors.

What changes with the A321Xlr

The A321Xlr - where Xlr stands for Extra Long Range - was supposed to officially take off as early as the end of this year; but due to various factors (pandemic, supply chain crisis, delayed certifications, etc...) the first deliveries of the new model should slip to the end of 2024 the even to 2025.

The aircraft is part of the Airbus A320 family and is unique because it combines a range of about 8,400 km (thanks to an additional fuel tank placed in the center-rear part of the aircraft) with a single-aisle short- to medium-range aircraft size.

As the infographic produced by Airbus explains, in addition to Lower the fuel consumption of the 30% per single seat, the aircraft will allow airlines to alternate between medium haul and long haul routes even on the same operating day.

The A321Xlr allows you to fly, for example, Rome to New York, London to Miami, Dubai to Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo to Sydney or Buenos Aires to Miami with a capacity ranging from 180 to 220 seats using the two classes of service.

Cabins and what's new on board

Despite some hiccups on the delivery schedule, however, Airbus is making numerous Flight tests and the testing of on-board systems., especially with respect to the cabins. On this occasion, therefore, Airbus also released some photos anticipating the basic configuration of the new model aircraft.

According to the manufacturer, the A321Xlr will have more space in the hat racks, and lighter and stronger side walls and ceilings have been developed, as well as a new sound insulation system that provides noise reduction especially on long journeys.

One key feature, for example, concerns the front of the passenger cabin, which benefits from the so-called full-flex zone. The latter, first introduced on the A321neo allows Airbus Cabin Flex to be implemented in the area between door 1 or door 2. In essence, airlines will be able to install kitchen and lavatory areas or other intermediate spaces in the middle of the front of the passenger cabin.

A classic system for twin-aisle aircraft, which is usually used To divide the classes of service, but which totally changes the pattern and internal visibility of a single-aisle aircraft. In this case, then, the airlines will be able to equip the A321Xlr with three classes of service.

One downside is definitely that of convenience. Because on the long-haul flight with a single-aisle aircraft, movements are much more limited, both seated and standing, and the space available on board for passengers (but also for the cabin crew) is significantly reduced.

Who flies intercontinental today with A321lr.

Already many companies in Europe and beyond fly intercontinental to the United States.

The pioneer was TAP which taking advantage of its strategic location with Lisbon Airport has been flying regularly from one side of the Atlantic to the other since 2019. The Portuguese A321s configured with Two business class cabins, the one with the throne, and traditional economy fly to New York, Toronto and Brazil.

Also taking advantage of the geographical location, the A321lr is also in the fleet at Aer Lingus With flights from Dublin to the U.S. and SAS which flies from Copenhagen and Oslo also to the American continent. And the aforementioned La Compagnie which flies from France and Milan to New york.

In the U.S. at the moment intercontinental flights aboard a single-aisle aircraft is offered only by JetBlue, which flies from New York and Boston to the UK and France and (hopefully) soon to Italy.

Airlines that have chosen the A321Xlr.

The A321Xlr was launched at the 2019 Paris Airshow and as of February this year Airbus has already accumulated 550 orders from 26 airlines worldwide.

U.S. airlines placed the largest orders. American and United requested 50 aircraft each, and Air Canada added another 6 aircraft; while Australia's Qantas has ordered 36 aircraft.

But the low-cost sector has also placed a number of very large orders. Indigo Partners will split its order from 50 aircraft at its airlines: twenty A321XLR will be awarded to Wizz Air, 18 to the U.S. Frontier and 12 to the Chilean JetSmart.

JetBlue, which already operates flights between London and New York with the A321Lr has placed a 13-aircraft order; while Indian low-cost airline Indigo has signed a 36-aircraft order.

At the moment, none of the big European legacy airlines have broken the buck and chosen to book a package of A321Xlr aircraft. Who knows why and who knows if it will be the right choice.