On the first day of the Paris Air Show, Airbus has formally announced its A321XLR variant – the longest range single-aisle airliner currently on the market.
Based on the A321neo and neoLR variants, this model will bring 30% lower fuel burn per seat than previous-generation competitor aircraft. Starting from 2023, the aircraft will deliver an unprecedented Xtra Long Range of up to 4,700nm – 15% more than the A321LR and with the same unbeatable fuel efficiency.
With this added range, airlines will be able to operate a lower-cost single-aisle aircraft on longer and less heavily travelled routes – many of which can now only be served by larger and less efficient wide-body aircraft. This will enable operators to open new world-wide routes such as India to Europe or China to Australia, as well as further extending the Family’s non-stop reach on direct transatlantic flights between continental Europe and the Americas. For passengers, the A321XLR’s new Airspace cabin will provide the best travel experience, while offering seats in all classes with the same high-comfort as on long-haul widebody aircraft. All the while, it will offer crew commonality with other aircraft in the A320neo range.
Orders so far announced for the A321XLR include Air Lease Corporation, which will take 27, and Middle East Airlines which has ordered four, and will become the launch customer.
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