Airbus' A321XLR aircraft is set to fly in 2024. Take a look at the new plane and see what new routes it opens — coming soon to carriers like American and United.

Taylor RainsJul 31, 2023, 16:05 IST

The Airbus A321XLR is on track to enter commercial service in 2024. United and American are among the airlines that have already placed orders.Getty/AXEL HEIMKEN

Airbus said its highly-anticipated A321XLR is still on track to enter commercial service in 2024.
The XLR will fly 800 miles farther than its A321LR predecessor — and carry more people.

Airlines worldwide are placing multi-million dollar bets on Airbus' newest narrowbody aircraft — and the planemaker is on track to deliver despite some regulatory hiccups.

Airbus said recently in its second-quarter earnings call that its upcoming A321XLR (extra-long-range) variant is still expected to enter the market in Q2 2024.

The far-flying plane is unique because it can journey up to 5,400 miles nonstop thanks to an additional fuel tank added onboard.

It hasn't been a perfectly easily road, however. European regulators have voiced concerns over fire-safety risks relating to the extra fuel tank — a roadblock that Airbus has since resolved, Reuters reported.

Though it may not be the best outcome. Sources told Reuters that the tank redesign could slash a few hundred miles of range, potentially affecting the route options available to operators.

Nevertheless, Airbus is still hoping for a late 2023 certification as the company rushes to fill a market gap. Here's a closer look at the single-aisle A321XLR:

Announced in 2019, the game-changing XLR jet is the latest in a series of A321 planes.

Airbus

The XLR's biggest draw is its extended range, which is exactly what airlines need in the evolving long-haul narrowbody market.

The Airbus A321XLR fact sheet shows suggested routes the plane could fly.Airbus

The new jetliner can fly up to 5,400 miles, or 11 hours, nonstop thanks to its extra fuel tank located in the center rear of the plane.

The first rear center fuel tank from Premium Aerotec for the Airbus A321XLR.Premium AEROTEC

Compared to its predecessor, the XLR can fly 15% farther and has a 30% reduced fuel burn per seat.

JetBlue Airways A321LRBengt Lange/Airbus

And, the XLR offers all of this, Airbus says, without sacrificing passenger capacity or comfort.

An Airbus A321XLR concept image in the new American Airlines configuration.American Airlines

The high-density seating and increased range is particularly important for airlines that want to serve lower-demand markets, but can't quite fill a widebody.

United relies heavily on its fleet of Boeing 787s for long-haul travel.United Airlines

While the XLR adds range and capacity, it will still feature the family's staple next-generation engines, sharklet wingtips, and Airspace Cabin.

Airbus

Engines, specifically, can be purchased from either Pratt & Whitney or CFM International.

The A321XLR flying at the Paris Air Show in June.Getty/AXEL HEIMKEN

Meanwhile, the planemaker says its unique cabin design "elevates the feeling of space inside Airbus aircraft to an even higher level."

Airspace interior on Airbus' A321XLR.Airbus

Since 2019, the A321XLR has garnered over 550 orders from more than 25 carriers worldwide, including 50 each from American and United.

Airbus

Given its low operating costs, many airlines see the XLR as a perfect replacement for older-generation planes.

Icelandair is replacing its Boeing 757s with the XLR.Tim Hewette/ALE

An Airbus spokesperson told Insider in June at the Paris Air Show that the cost to operate the XLR between New York and Paris is half of that of a widebody.

The Airbus A321XLR in flight.Jean-Vincent Reymondon/AIrbus

While many people are eagerly waiting to hear what routes the XLR will fly, some carriers are dropping hints.

The Airbus A321XLR is expected to enter the market with Middle East Airlines in early 2024.Taylor Rains/Insider

In March, American's managing director of global network planning, Jason Reisinger, suggested flights between Raleigh and London.

American passport with a ticket to London.Kanel Bulle/Getty Images

"American likes the A321 and we can do a number of things with the XLR, including serving routes that cannot support a 787, but where we still have a nice onboard product," he said.

Premium economy on American's XLR interior concept image.American Airlines

"American likes the A321 and we can do a number of things with the XLR, including serving routes that cannot support a 787, but where we still have a nice onboard product," he said.

On the other side of the world, IndiGo's former COO Willy Boulter said in summer 2021 that the XLR could be used to connect to more cities in Europe and Asia.

An IndiGo airlines plane on the runway at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport. (not the XLR).Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images.

Meanwhile, a route map on Qantas' website shows the XLR can fly to as far as Hong Kong, Manila, and Bangkok from Australian cities like Melbourne and Sydney.

Qantas

Once the XLR enters the market, it won't see much competition — even from Boeing as the American planemaker has yet to announce a similar option.

Boeing 737 MAX 10.Taylor Rains/Insider

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Airbus' A321XLR aircraft is set to fly in 2024. Take a look at the new plane and see what new routes it opens &mdash; coming soon to carriers like American and United.

Announced in 2019, the game-changing XLR jet is the latest in a series of A321 planes.

The XLR's biggest draw is its extended range, which is exactly what airlines need in the evolving long-haul narrowbody market.

The new jetliner can fly up to 5,400 miles, or 11 hours, nonstop thanks to its extra fuel tank located in the center rear of the plane.

Compared to its predecessor, the XLR can fly 15% farther and has a 30% reduced fuel burn per seat.

And, the XLR offers all of this, Airbus says, without sacrificing passenger capacity or comfort.

The high-density seating and increased range is particularly important for airlines that want to serve lower-demand markets, but can't quite fill a widebody.

While the XLR adds range and capacity, it will still feature the family's staple next-generation engines, sharklet wingtips, and Airspace Cabin.

Engines, specifically, can be purchased from either Pratt & Whitney or CFM International.

Meanwhile, the planemaker says its unique cabin design "elevates the feeling of space inside Airbus aircraft to an even higher level."

Since 2019, the A321XLR has garnered over 550 orders from more than 25 carriers worldwide, including 50 each from American and United.

Given its low operating costs, many airlines see the XLR as a perfect replacement for older-generation planes.

An Airbus spokesperson told Insider in June at the Paris Air Show that the cost to operate the XLR between New York and Paris is half of that of a widebody.

While many people are eagerly waiting to hear what routes the XLR will fly, some carriers are dropping hints.

In March, American's managing director of global network planning, Jason Reisinger, suggested flights between Raleigh and London.

"American likes the A321 and we can do a number of things with the XLR, including serving routes that cannot support a 787, but where we still have a nice onboard product," he said.

On the other side of the world, IndiGo's former COO Willy Boulter said in summer 2021 that the XLR could be used to connect to more cities in Europe and Asia.

Meanwhile, a route map on Qantas' website shows the XLR can fly to as far as Hong Kong, Manila, and Bangkok from Australian cities like Melbourne and Sydney.

Once the XLR enters the market, it won't see much competition — even from Boeing as the American planemaker has yet to announce a similar option.

Airbus' A321XLR aircraft is set to fly in 2024. Take a look at the new plane and see what new routes it opens — coming soon to carriers like American and United.