US airlines cannot wait for the Airbus A321XLR to enter their fleets. Already,
airlines are dropping hints and considering new ways the long-haul narrowbody jet will unlock
new routes in a post-crisis world. Currently the closest thing to a true Boeing 757 replacement,
this plane could seriously change the way Americans travel.
When United ordered 50 A321XLRs,
it highlighted the possibility for expansion out of its hubs in Newark and Washington D.C.
The first aircraft is due at United in 2024, with international service expected in 2025.
JetBlue noted that it could use its 13 A321XLRs to expand further into Europe
from Boston and New York, starting in 2023. Without huge specifics, budget carrier Frontier
Airlines plans to use the 18 jets it has on order to grow in new and existing markets
while also furthering its fuel-efficiency goals. The first A321XLR is expected in 2024.
In a podcast, American Airlines President Robert Isom explained that the A321XLR
allows American to look at opportunities in the transcontinental market, close-in Europe, and
close-in South America as a possibility. It will take delivery of the first of 50 aircraft in 2023.
Although the jet will enable some great overseas routes, there’s also a good chance we’ll see
the aircraft on some domestic missions, between international long-haul cycles.
When these aircraft do fly domestic missions,
carriers will put them on routes where they can get a premium with their upgraded business cabins.
Think hub-to-hub routes and key business markets, such as transcontinental operations.
So, not only could this plane be doing a New York to Budapest or Prague route,
but it could also end up then flying from New York to Seattle or across to San Francisco.
On the budget side, Frontier Airlines’ CEO has
already stated he does not wish to put the A321XLRs on transatlantic flights.
Instead, he would rather put them on flights to Hawaii and transcontinental missions.
Unlike United or JetBlue, or American, Frontier Airlines wants to fit as many
passengers as possible onboard, compromising the aircraft’s range slightly. This may end up
disrupting the leisure market and reducing fares as Frontier looks to fill its planes.
Noticeably absent from the customer list is Delta Air Lines, which still doesn’t have
replacements for its Boeing 757s or 767s and is instead waiting for Boeing’s NMA to come out.
The issue is, Boeing has not released many details about the NMA.
If we made generous assumptions with future progress, entry-into-service could be as soon
as 2025 or 2026. But knowing next to nothing about the program, this could be even later.
Thus, Delta could decide to select the A321XLR
in the next two years if it’s not pleased with Boeing’s progress on its future aircraft.
Ultimately, the A321XLR expands on what the Boeing 757 started with narrowbody long-haul travel.
With more passengers suddenly able to head to Europe in a single flight,
and with Frontier’s ability to serve new longer routes in the US, more people
will be able to travel with fewer stops, fewer inconveniences, and a better passenger experience.
Simply put, the A321XLR is gearing up to revolutionize American travel.
Are you excited about the A321XLR? Let us know in the comments!