United is gearing up to take delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR next year, with plans to use the longer-range narrowbody jet in various “smaller” markets.
The Chicago-based airline has 50 A321XLR aircraft on order. Twelve are initially slated to join United’s fleet in 2026.
Speaking on CNBC last week, the carrier’s CEO, Scott Kirby, said the aircraft – which will replace the Boeing 757s – will be deployed on long-haul routes, including some from United’s Newark, New Jersey, hub.
“We are going to add several destinations [with the A321XLR],” Kirby shared. “… Smaller cities in Europe and North Africa that we’ll be able to fly the airplane out of Newark.”
He added that the new aircraft will include lie-flat seating.
Spanish carrier Iberia took delivery of the first A321XLR in 2024 and currently uses the aircraft on routes from Madrid to the U.S. and South America. The A321XLR has a published range of 4,700 nautical miles.
In the U.S., American plans to take delivery of its first A321XLR this year. Initially, the aircraft will fly between New York and Los Angeles, replacing the A321T.
