American Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR, but the aircraft will remain in Europe for the time being due to a shortage of seats.
Bloomberg reported Friday that the seat problem is linked to broader supply chain issues. The business news outlet said the airplane will be moved from Airbus’ facility in Hamburg, Germany, to a site in the Czech Republic, where the seat installation work will eventually take place.
American has ordered a total of 50 A321XLRs, which it plans to use on long-haul transatlantic routes. The first of those aircraft are supposed to enter service by the end of this year.
American’s A321XLR cabin is expected to have 20 business-class seats, 12 premium economy seats, and 123 economy seats.
Supply chain problems have held up deliveries from both Airbus and Boeing in the years since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The eventual transport of Americans’ first A321XLR could also be complicated by U.S. tariffs on European products, currently set at 15%. Some airlines have delayed deliveries to avoid paying the extra tax, or have found ways to get around it.
