Saudia on Sunday became the first airline in the Middle East to take delivery of the Airbus A321XLR.
Officials said the aircraft will give Saudia the flexibility to operate longer international routes. The Saudi flag carrier expects to add a total of 15 -XLRs to its fleet by 2027.
“The delivery of the A321XLR reflects the momentum of Saudia’s ongoing transformation,” Saudia Group Director General Ibrahim Al-Omar said in a news release. “As we continue to grow our fleet, our focus is not only on adding capacity, but on investing in aircraft, products, and capabilities that strengthen Saudia’s competitiveness and support the kingdom’s aviation ambitions.”
Saudia’s A321XLRs will be configured with 24 business class seats and 120 “guest class” seats.
Currently, the Jeddah-based airline serves destinations across the Middle East, Europe, Africa, South and East Asia, and North America.
Saudia officials have not said what new routes the A321XLR could operate. In a statement from 2023, the carrier said the type could be used to connect existing destinations such as Rome, Barcelona, Milan, and the Maldives.
