Iberia takes delivery of inaugural A321XLR, becomes launch operator
October 30, 2024
Airbus has delivered the first A321XLR to Iberia, with the Spanish flag carrier becoming the launch operator of the new single-aisle aircraft.
“Five years in the making, the newest member of the Airbus family is all set to join its first operator, Iberia. The A321XLR will enable countless new long-stop destinations; it truly opens a new chapter in air connectivity,” commented Christian Scherer, CEO of commercial aircraft at Airbus.
Delivering what Airbus describes as “unprecedented extra long range” of 4,700 nm – a 15% advantage to the A321LR – the new A321XLR is “the next evolutionary step from the A320neo”. Offering added value to its operators through extended range and extra payload, Airbus has thus far secured more than 500 orders for the type.
Iberia’s example seats 182 passengers in a two-class layout, although the aircraft can be configured with up to 220 seats. Boasting single-aisle economics with extra long range performance, “the A321XLR also complements widebody aircraft by serving the same routes at off-peak times or in case of significant seasonal variation and demand,” explains Airbus. Long-haul passengers will especially the in-seat connectivity available at every seat, one of the features of Airbus’ new ‘Airspace’ cabin, which also offers new overhead storage compartments and improved customer comfort elements.
Iberia plans to operate its new CFM LEAP-1A powered aircraft on regional routes across Europe before its first transatlantic service from Madrid to Boston later this year. The airline is set to receive eight A321XLRs in total.
