Summary
- The Airbus A321XLR has gained popularity among airlines allowing them to extend their international offering.
- Major airlines such as IndiGo, American Airlines, United Airlines, JetBlue, and Qantas have placed firm orders for the A321XLR.
- Other airlines from Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and South America have also ordered the A321XLR, making it a highly anticipated aircraft in various markets.
The Airbus A321XLR has proven a remarkably popular choice with airlines since it was announced at the 2019 Paris Air Show. Let's look at some of the major airlines that have ordered the extra-long-range variant of the Airbus A321neo and what they're planning to use it for.
The A321XLR is the longest-range variant of the Airbus A321neo, with a range of 4,700 nautical miles. The proposition of an eXtra-long-range variant has turned a few heads among airlines looking to extend their international offering a little bit further.
IndiGo
India's low-cost carrier is one of Airbus' biggest customers, and such has a massive order for the European manufacturer's game-changing aircraft. At this year's Paris Air Show, IndiGo placed a record-breaking order for 500 A320 family aircraft, which includes a firm order for 69 A321XLRs.
However, the eagerly-awaiting A321XLR customers may have to wait a little longer before they can start operating the aircraft, as the manufacturer faces significant delays in introducing the twinjet. In addition to general industry supply chain issues, Airbus is also facing regulatory challenges regarding the extra center fuel tank.
The aircraft's long range is what sets it apart from other jets in the single-aisle category. However, after Airbus reached an agreement with European regulators to modify the new fuel tanks, the aircraft's range could be reduced. Despite the modifications, an Airbus spokesperson told Reuters that it expects no significant impact on the XLRs range.
American Airlines
As the largest airline in the world by fleet size, American Airlines has a massive appetite for new aircraft. AA didn't waste any time when it came to placing its order for the A321XLR. The carrier placed an order for 50 aircraft just a few days after the type was announced in Paris four years ago, which remains one of the most significant orders for the single-aisle today.
Rather than ordering 50 Airbus A321XLRs off the bat, the US flag carrier converted 30 of their existing A321neo orders. "It costs a little more for these aircraft, but it has much greater utility for us in the long run," American Airlines CEO Robert Isom explained. The carrier will be looking to utilize the extra range and fly the aircraft across the Atlantic to Europe.
Read the latest Airbus news here.
Other US carriers
Other US carriers also have firm orders for the new XLR. United Airlines also placed a firm order for 50 A321XLRs at the 2019 Paris Air Show. It is looking to replace some of the older and less-efficient aircraft in its fleet. The Chicago-based carrier was meant to receive its first aircraft in 2024 and eventually operate the type on longer transatlantic routes from its various US hubs.
Low-Cost Carrier JetBlue has 13 orders for the single-aisle. The order was also confirmed in Paris in 2019, as the airline replaced an existing order for 13 A321neos with the A321XLR. JetBlue plans to use the new aircraft to expand its overseas network and fly to more European destinations.
Indigo Partners
While Indigo Partners isn't an airline, it holds a controlling stake in a number of pretty big players in the industry, namely JetSmart, Frontier Airlines, and Wizz Air.
Indigo Partners has firm orders for the XLR, but the inventory will be split between the company's three airlines. Firstly, the Hungary-based outfit Wizz Air has 47 orders for the type, with the first expected to join its fleet in late 2024. However, it will likely be operated by its Abu Dhabi or London-based subsidiaries.
A third US carrier Frontier Airlines, has 18 orders for the A321XLR, which it converted from A320neo orders. The aircraft will allow the ULCC to offer coast-to-coast flights and explore other destinations outside the continent. Lastly, South America's JetSMART will receive 12 XLRs.
Qantas
Another large order comes from Qantas, again placed during the Paris Air Show. The Australian flag carrier has a firm order for 20 A321XLRs, with the first expected delivery late next year.
As Qantas does not have the most convenient location for launching medium-to long-range flights to other destinations, the long-range and medium-capacity of the Airbus A321XLR is the perfect trade-off for the airline. The aircraft could efficiently serve various destinations like Hong Kong (HKG), Bangkok (BKK), and Singapore (SIN) from the airline's Sydney and Melbourne hubs.
Other customers
A number of other airlines from various markets have also placed orders for the much-awaited XLR. Asia and the Middle East have several A321XLR customers, including launch customer Middle East Airlines (MEA), Air Arabia, AirAsia X, Cebu Pacific Air, Saudia, Vietjet, and flynas, which announced its order of ten at the 2019 Dubai Air Show.
Europe will also see deliveries of the A321XLR when it eventually enters service, with its customers including Aer Lingus, Iberia, and Icelandair, which recently placed a firm order for 13 aircraft. Back on the other side of the Atlantic, Canada's Air Canada and Air Transat have 30 orders between them.
On the Southern side of the continent, Brazil's LATAM and Chile's Sky Airline will also operate the XLR as the latter looks to expand in the Northern markets. Qantas' subsidiary carrier Jetstar is also set to receive the type after converting an order of 20 A320 family aircraft to the A321XLR.
What do you think about the A321XLR's orders? Please let us know in the comments!
Sources: ch-aviation.com, Reuters