Ireland’s national carrier
Aer Lingus has taken delivery of the first of six
Airbus A321XLR narrow-body aircraft. The airline becomes the second in the world to operate the A321XLR as well as the second in the
International Airlines Group (IAG). Powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines, the aircraft took off from the Airbus production site in Hamburg, Germany, on 18 December and flew to Aer Lingus’ home base at Dublin airport in Ireland.
The Aer Lingus A321XLR is configured with 184 seats in a two-class layout featuring 16 full-flat Business Class and 168 Economy Class seats. It is the first aircraft in the Aer Lingus fleet to offer passengers and cabin crew the enhanced comfort of Airbus’ Airspace Cabin, featuring XL overhead bins with 60% more storage space compared to previous generation aircraft. The aircraft will enable Aer Lingus to operate new routes beyond the US East Coast and Canada, to destinations such as Nashville and Indianapolis.
The A321XLR is the next evolutionary step of the A320neo Family, responding to market needs for more range and payload, creating even more value for the airlines. It will deliver an unprecedented Xtra Long Range of up to 4,700 nautical miles (nm), some 15% more range than the A321LR and 30% lower fuel burn per seat compared with previous-generation competitor aircraft, as well as reduced NO
x emissions and noise. So far, Airbus has secured more than 500 orders for the A321XLR.
As with all Airbus aircraft, the A321XLR aircraft is already able to operate with up to 50% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and the aircraft manufacturer is aiming to have all its aircraft up to 100% SAF-capable by 2030.