The Airbus A321XLR is now ready to enter service, with the long-range single-aisle jet having been awarded Type Certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
The Airbus A321XLR, a long-distance variant of the A321neo, was first brought to the world’s attention at the Paris Air Show in 2019. It has been regarded as a gamechanger for single-aisle aircraft.
The first commercial flights of the Airbus A321XLR will take off in the summer with Iberia chosen as the launch carrier, after industrial action by pilots at Aer Lingus meant that the Irish airline missed its chance.
Documentation for the A321XLR’s Type Certification was presented to the aircraft’s Chief Engineer, Isabelle Bloy, by Florian Guillermet, the Executive Director of EASA, in Cologne, Germany, on July 19, 2024.
While the new aircraft has been certified with CFM LEAP-1A engines, the Pratt & Whitney engine version will have to wait a little longer.
Christian Scherer, CEO of the Commercial Aircraft business of Airbus, said: “Here comes the A321XLR, a differentiated product that brings new value to the market, expanding the possibilities for our airline customers and passengers. With its long range, the A321XLR enables a host of new direct routes, offering natural growth opportunities to our customers and the travelling public. It provides airlines with the efficiency of commonality inside the A320/A321 product range and its versatile cabin a range of service possibilities that are just unique. It is quintessential Airbus!”
Scherer added: “With the certification, we have reached a key milestone. The next step is to prepare the aircraft for its first commercial missions with customers worldwide. We look forward to working with XLR customers to support the integration of the aircraft in their fleets.”
The Airbus A321XLR will enable operators to provide non-stop long-haul services around the world where demand is insufficient to fill an entire wide-body jet.
The aircraft is capable of flying 4,700 nautical miles for up to 11 hours. It will link cities such as New York and Rome, London and Vancouver and Sydney and Kuala Lumpur.
Airbus describes the aircraft as “single-aisle economics on widebody routes”, with 45% lower trip costs for passengers when compared to flying on a larger jet.
The A321XLR also includes Airbus’ new Airspace cabin, which is designed to provide travelers with more comfort and space during flight.
The first A321XLR completed its maiden flight in June 2022 and three test aircraft have been used to achieve certification.
So far more than 500 Airbus A321XLRs have been ordered, by customers that include American Airlines, United Airlines, Qantas, IndiGo and Icelandair.