The first Airbus A321XLR was delivered to Iberia on Wednesday. After over a year of delays, the long-range narrowbody jet may enter revenue service as soon as next week.
Airbus faced some regulatory headwinds with the aircraft’s additional fuel tanks, which delayed its entry into service from 2023 to 2024. The European manufacturer began development of the type in 2019.
Due to an ongoing pilot dispute, Iberia was selected as the aircraft’s launch customer over fellow International Airlines Group carrier Aer Lingus. IAG has 14 A321XLR jets on order, including eight slated for Iberia and six for Aer Lingus.
The A321XLR is the longest-range variant of Airbus’ A320 series. Its published range is 4,700 nautical miles, 15% more than the A321LR. According to Airbus, the aircraft can carry up to 220 passengers in a standard two-class configuration. Iberia’s aircraft features 182 seats.
According to Cirium Fleet Analyzer data, the aircraft has over 100 firm orders. American, United, Air Canada, Icelandair, and Wiizz Air are among the carriers planning to use the aircraft.
Registered as EC-OIL, Iberia’s first A321XLR is scheduled to ferry from Airbus’ Hamburg manufacturing facility to Madrid on Wednesday afternoon.
“Five years in the making, the newest member of the Airbus family is all set to join its first operator, Iberia,” said Airbus’ commercial aircraft chief Christian Scherer in a news release. “The A321XLR will enable countless new non-stop destinations; it truly opens a new chapter in air connectivity. It is another proud “first” for all of us at Airbus in our constant quest to innovate and bring value to our customers. We are pleased to share this special moment with a special customer: gracias y felicidades Iberia.”
First Flights
Iberia is planning to begin A321XLR flights on Nov. 5 from its Madrid hub to Paris Charles de Gaulle. These flights will operate on multiple days in early November, according to Aeroroutes.
Later, the Spanish airline will stretch the aircraft’s range with transatlantic service between Madrid and Boston starting Nov. 14.
In January 2025, the aircraft will be used on the nearly 4,000-mile flight from Madrid to Washington Dulles.
