Henning Greiser, American Airline's Head of International Network Planning,
said that the A321XLR would likely be used on new secondary markets to Europe while helping to run
year-round flights. Speaking at Routes Americas in San Antonio, he said the type would help
increase American's presence in Europe, especially where it’s weak or has no presence of its own...
American has 50 orders for the A321XLR, with the first set to arrive in late 2023.
The type will be the first actual 757-200ER replacement, more so than the A321LR.
While Airbus touts a range of up to 4,700 nautical miles (8,704km),
the real-world range of the aircraft will be notably lower than what is marketed,
especially with US-bound winter headwinds.
As a result of this, we think a rough upper range of around 4,600 miles (7,408km) is more likely.
Greiser said the type will be part of the airline’s North Atlantic network in summer 2024,
but he hopes to use it before then. Because of the type’s range,
it'll probably be used from Philadelphia, JFK, and Boston, with Central Europe cited.
“The A321XLR will open up markets that we wouldn't be able to serve
otherwise – new cities and niche destinations that will really work well with our network.
Through our hubs, we'll be able to create many one-stop connections that don't exist today. “
Between 2018 and 2020, American added multiple new routes, including Philadelphia to Bologna,
Budapest, Berlin, Dubrovnik, Lisbon, and Prague. Others, such as Philadelphia to Casablanca and
Chicago to Budapest, Prague, and Kraków were due to begin in 2020 but didn't for obvious reasons…
American was in experimentation mode – until the pandemic hit.
While it is currently understandably focused on tried-and-tested mature markets, the XLR will help
enable a renewed focus on new opportunities. But it might not be this straightforward…
As the XLR will have far fewer seats to fill versus a widebody, it'll theoretically open up
more markets. However, it'll have a higher seat-mile cost than twin-aisle equipment,
requiring a higher average fare to break even due to reduced seating. At the same time,
the XLR would have a significantly lower sector cost than a widebody, helping to
reduce the overall cost and risk of new routes. Greiser said the XLR would play an important role
in converting seasonal routes to year-round while adding flights in key existing business markets
requiring higher frequency. Indeed, in addition to the above, we think the type
will have multiple potential roles, including: On longer and thinner routes where widebody
capacity isn't needed or possible To boost performance on
underperforming long-haul routes In less competitive markets
Where there is strong enough premium demand Where cargo is less important
And, where routes or certain frequencies can be right-sized due to lower demand.
The anticipated flexibility for airlines is exciting.
But we’ll still have to wait until late 2023 to fly on the type with American…
Where would you like to see American Airlines use the aircraft? Let us know in the comments.