Icelandair Takes Delivery of First-Ever Airbus

The carrier is losing its status as a mostly-Boeing operator.

Icelandair’s first Airbus aircraft (Photo: Icelandair)

[ Aircraft Orders and Deliveries ]December 3, 2024 9:28 am ET

By Ryan Ewing

Icelandair received its first Airbus A321LR aircraft as part of the airline’s fleet modernization plans. The long-time Boeing operator has four leased A321LRs on order along with 13 longer-range A321XLRs.

The carrier’s first Airbus jet – registered as TF-IAA – ferried from the manufacturer’s Hamburg facility to Icelandair’s Reykjavík hub on Tuesday morning. Powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, the new aircraft will be configured with 22 business class seats and 165 in economy.

Flights with the new aircraft are slated to begin on Dec. 10 between Reykjavik, Copenhagen, and Stockholm. Next month, Icelandair’s A321LR will regularly serve Amsterdam, London Heathrow, and Oslo.

Icelandair’s first A321LR (Photo: Icelandair)

By May 2025, the airline will stretch the A321LR’s legs with flights to Seattle.

The airline first ordered the Airbus jets last year with plans to phase-out some of its aging Boeing 757s. According to Airbus, Icelandair’s first A321XLR is expected in 2029.

According to Cirium Fleet Analyzer data, Icelandair’s active fleet includes 21 Boeing 737 MAXs, 13 Boeing 757s, and four Boeing 767s. The carrier also utilizes six Dash 8 turboprop aircraft.

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Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

Follow Ryan

Author

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.
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