The aviation gamechanger of 2019, the A321XLR, may not sell quite as quickly as Airbus had
anticipated. With longer-range markets predicted to remain contracted over the next few years,
it may be awhile before the orders start coming in again. However, before the crisis hit,
the extra-long-range update of the A321neo was quite the hit with enthusiastic customers.
The aircraft has a range of 4,700 nm (8,700 km), which is 15% more than the A321LR. It’s
actually the longest of any single-aisle aircraft ever. The plane can seat between 175 to 244
passengers, depending on the configuration. Currently, 22 airlines and two leasing companies
together have placed orders for over 450 of the new, potentially industry-altering, jet.
Let’s take a look at who they are. A little over a year ago American Airlines
had ordered no less than 50. Granted, 30 of those were converted from already existing
orders for the A321neo. The initial delivery schedule was set for eight aircraft in 2023,
22 jets in 2024, and the final 20 jets in 2025. It is unclear how the present circumstances
will affect production or deferrals. United has also ordered 50 A321XLRs to replace
its aging 757-200 fleet. The order was placed in December 2019, and the carrier is meant
to start taking delivery of the aircraft in 2024.
American’s rival also intends to use the model to launch an expansion of its transatlantic
routes from New York and Washington DC. Qantas placed ten new orders and converted
another 26 from a prior commitment. As far as we know, the original delivery scheme for
2024 and a couple of years onwards still stands.
“It can fly routes like Cairns-Tokyo or Melbourne-Singapore, which existing narrowbodies
can’t, and that changes the economics of lots of potential routes into Asia…” -Qantas
CEO Alan Joyce said in a statement to Reuters.
Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia X also has 30 A321XLRs on order. While it has deferred
its A330neo order, nothing has changed for the A321XLRs.
Wizz Air has 20 of the A321XLR on order. These are scheduled for delivery from 2023 onwards
and may be flown on new routes with seven to eight hours of flight time. The cabin will
have a high-density 239 seat configuration.
Air Arabia placed an order for 20 new A321XLRs, which will allow the Emirati low-cost carrier
to reach destinations in Asia, Europe, Africa.
VietJet has a firm order for 15 of the A321XLR and had plans to operate them on routes to
Australia.
US low-cost carriers Frontier and JetBlue have ordered 18 and 13 of the jet, respectively.
Frontier converted existing orders for the A320neo family and intends to deploy the new
jets on transcontinental services as well as explore international and Hawaiian routes.
Frontier’s first A321XLR is scheduled for delivery in 2024.
JetBlue also converted 13 existing orders for other narrowbody aircraft. These will
help expand its transatlantic capacity from its focus cities Boston and New York.
Santiago-based low-cost carrier SKY Airline has ordered ten A321XLRs. The range will allow
Chile’s second-largest airline to expand to destinations in North America.
Its ultra-low-cost compatriot and competitor JetSMART is down for 13, most likely with
the same intention. Cebu Pacific has also ordered ten of the aircraft
while Saudi Arabia’s Flynas is set to take another ten.Lebanon’s Middle East Airlines
will take delivery of four. IAG has ordered eight for Iberia, and six
for Aer Lingus while Czech Airlines swapped an order for seven A320neos to the extra long-range
model. While the near future for all things aviation-related
remains highly uncertain, Airbus is confident in its planned entry into service of its A321xlr.
Let’s hope that the airlines will get to welcome these new jets without too much delay…
Are you excited for the arrival of the a321xlr? Let us know in
the comments.