Airbus A321XLR ready to enter service after aircraft type certification by EASA – AeroTime

The Airbus A321XLR is now ready to enter service, with the long-haul single-aisle aircraft having received type certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

The Airbus A321XLR, a long-range variant of the A321neo, was first presented to the world at the Paris Air Show in 2019. It was considered an innovation for single-aisle aircraft.

The first commercial flights of the Airbus A321XLR will take off this summer, with Iberia chosen as the launch carrier, after the Aer Lingus pilots’ strike caused the Irish airline to miss its chance.

The documentation for the A321XLR type certification was presented to the aircraft’s chief engineer, Isabelle Bloy, by Florian Guillermet, EASA Executive Director, in Cologne, Germany, on 19 July 2024.

While the new aircraft has been certified with CFM LEAP-1A engines, the Pratt & Whitney-powered version will have to wait a little longer.

Christian Scherer, CEO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft, said: “Introducing the A321XLR, a differentiated product that brings new value to the market, expanding the possibilities for our customers and airline passengers. With its long range, the A321XLR enables a multitude of new direct routes, providing natural growth opportunities for our customers and travellers. It offers airlines the efficiency of standardisation within the A320/A321 product family and its versatile cabin, a range of service possibilities that are simply unique. This is quintessential Airbus!”

Scherer added: “With this certification, we have reached a key milestone. The next step is to prepare the aircraft for its first commercial missions with customers around the world. We look forward to working with XLR customers to support the integration of the aircraft into their fleets.”

The Airbus A321XLR will enable operators to provide non-stop long-haul services worldwide when demand is insufficient to fill an entire wide-body aircraft.

The plane is capable of traveling 4,700 nautical miles in 11 hours. It will connect cities such as New York and Rome, London and Vancouver, as well as Sydney and Kuala Lumpur.

Airbus describes the aircraft as “single-aisle economical on wide-body routes”, with travel costs 45% lower for passengers than flying on a larger jet.

The A321XLR also features Airbus’ new Airspace cabin, designed to offer travellers more comfort and space during the flight.

The first A321XLR made its maiden flight in June 2022 and three test aircraft were used to achieve certification.

So far, more than 500 Airbus A321XLRs have been ordered, by customers including American Airlines, United Airlines, Qantas, IndiGo and Icelandair.