- Spanish carrier Iberia is scheduled to fly the first Airbus A321XLR passenger flight in November.
- The new long-haul narrowbody jet has secured over 550 orders since 2019 and European certification.
- Passengers can expect everything from lie-flat cabins to all-economy seats on the versatile A321XLR.
Airbus is months away from launching its brand-new narrowbody jetliner, the A321XLR.
Since its 2019 debut, the “extra long range” jet, which can open previously inefficient or unreachable routes, has secured over 550 orders. In July, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency certified the A321XLR for passenger flights, and it’s nearing approval from US regulators.
Spanish flag carrier Iberia is the first airline expected to fly the plane, with its first flight scheduled from Madrid to Boston on November 14. Flights to Washington Dulles would begin on January 15.
The plane’s launch is set to kickstart a new era of long-haul flying from every corner of the globe. Mainline carriers like American Airlines, Qantas, and Air Canada and low-cost carriers like Hungary’s Wizz Air and India-based IndiGo are all expected to eventually operate the jet.
Such a diverse order book means passengers can expect varying cabin experiences across the budget and legacy fleets. Most mainline competitors are expected to install lie-flat business class to accommodate up to 11-hour-long treks and lucrative fares, while budget options are largely sticking to traditional layouts that maximize seats.
