XRL, for “Extra Long Range” (“very long range” in French). After the A321neo, Airbus is preparing to deliver to its first customer the A321 XLR, an aircraft whose development took five years and which risks giving Boeing a hard time, after the success of the A220. In all, more than 500 orders for 25 customers were recorded by the European aeronautics giant in May, for an aircraft that can easily be described as “unparalleled”.
His interest ? Being able to achieve the range of a long-haul aircraft, while limiting its fuselage to that of a single-aisle. Enough to limit consumption, make distant destinations more accessible to companies, and reduce the prices of devices. The logical continuation of the withdrawal by companies like Air France from the use of the A380, the giant of the sky with four reactors. Facing him, Boeing is no longer in line. The “NMA” (for “New Midsize Aircraft”) program did not result in modernized versions of the 757 and 767.
A first A321 XLR in the sky, with Iberia
Iberia, the first airline to be able to take delivery of the A321 XLR, has just revealed details of its schedule with the aircraft. To begin, the plane will fly to Boston in the United States, from Madrid airport in Spain, with daily rotations. An estimated flight of 8 hours and 25 minutes, with the first takeoff scheduled for November 14. It will then be supplemented by another flight to Washington DC from January 15, 2025.
Despite everything, it will not be the first single-aisle to cross the Atlantic. Airbus has already delivered A321neos to companies like Air Transat and TAP Air Portugal, which now operate routes such as Lisbon-Boston, or Lisbon-Montreal. That said, compared to an A321neo, the A321 XLR will be able to explore new possibilities thanks to its 1,000 kilometers more range with a single tank. Indeed, the range of the A321 XLR will reach 8,400 kilometers, compared to 7,400 kilometers for the A321neo.
The era of “multipurpose” aircraft
With them, we are entering a new era of so-called “multipurpose” aircraft. Because with a maximum capacity of 240 passengers, this A321 XLR can be suitable for both medium-haul and long-haul flights. Until now, between 7,000 and 8,000 kilometers of range there was a gap in aviation, and companies had to switch to twin-aisle aircraft models such as the A330, A350, B777 or B787 to be able to operate such flights. . Today, the A321 XLR offers them new possibilities, and the ability to fly 10 hours.
Despite everything, the A321 XLR could have done better. Until the final stages of its development, Airbus expected a range of 8,700 kilometers. Unfortunately, at the time of its certifications by the European Aviation Safety Agency, it would have lost 370 kilometers, otherwise it would not have been able to obtain all the green lights. The fault lies in an excess weight of 700 to 800 kilos where Airbus estimated it to be between 200 and 300 kilos.
After Iberia, other companies will be able to take delivery of the device. Among them, American Airlines (50 copies), United Airlines (50 copies), WizzAir (47 copies), Qantas (20 copies) or even Air Canada and Air Transat which plan to share 30 copies.
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