- Spanish airline Iberia plans to operate the first passenger flight on an Airbus A321XLR in November.
- The new narrow-body long-range jet has secured more than 550 orders since 2019 and European certification.
- Passengers can expect everything from lie-flat cabins to full economy seats on the versatile A321XLR.
Airbus is just months away from the launch of its all-new narrowbody airliner, the A321XLR.
Since its debut in 2019, the “extra long-range” aircraft, which can open up previously inefficient or inaccessible routes, has won more than 550 orders. In July, the European Aviation Safety Agency certified the A321XLR for passenger flights, and it is close to being approved by U.S. regulators.
Spanish airline Iberia is the first to operate the plane, with its first flight scheduled from Madrid to Boston on November 14. Flights to Washington Dulles would begin on January 15.
The launch of the aircraft is expected to usher in a new era of long-haul flights from all corners of the world. Major airlines such as American Airlines, Qantas and Air Canada, as well as low-cost carriers such as Wizz Air in Hungary and IndiGo in India, are all expected to eventually operate the aircraft.
Such a diverse order book means passengers can expect varied cabin experiences across economy and traditional fleets. Most mainline competitors are expected to install lie-flat business class to accommodate journeys of up to 11 hours and lucrative fares, while economy options largely stick to traditional seat-maximizing configurations.
businessinsider
