As the A321XLR is about to enter the Indian market, here are the things to know about the jetliner

On June 15, 2021, Airbus experimental test pilots Thierry Diez (captain) and Gabriel Diaz de Villegas Giron (first officer) opened the throttles of the inaugural A321XLR (Xtra Long Range) test aircraft, F-WXLR MSN11000, on the runway at Hamburg-Finkenwerder Airport.

Taking flight shortly before noon, the crew – which also comprised flight test engineers Philippe Pupin and Frank Hohmeister, along with test flight engineer Mehdi Zeddoun – ascended to altitude to carry out the initial set of test objectives.

Assessing the aircraft's flight controls – which included flight envelope protections at both high and low speeds – engines, and main systems, the aircraft made its return to Hamburg four hours and 35 minutes later, where it was met with applause.

Making enhancements

The A321XLR encompasses the same characteristics as the baseline A321neo (new engine option) family variants introduced in 2010 – featuring the option of cutting-edge, more-efficient CFM International LEAP-1A or Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1100G-JM engines, optimized aerodynamics including Airbus’ proprietary Sharklet wingtips, and the Airspace Cabin (which the manufacturer claims “enhances the sensation of space within Airbus aircraft to an even greater extent”) as standard.

Typically accommodating 180-220 passengers in a two-class arrangement, the A321XLR will boast a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 99 tons and an extraordinary range of 4,700 nautical miles – the longest claimed by any single-aisle airliner ever created.

These represent significant advancements from the baseline A321neo’s 95-ton MTOW and 3,500 nautical miles range, as well as the 4,000 nautical miles range of the A321LR (Long Range) version introduced by Irish flag carrier Aer Lingus and Tel Aviv-based carrier Arkia Israeli Airlines, respectively.

Giving the A321XLR its enhanced payload/range capabilities necessitated several technical modifications to the baseline A321neo. These adjustments include a redesigned inboard wing flap configuration, a structurally reinforced center fuselage and landing gear, and, most importantly, a new rear center tank (RCT) capable of holding an additional 12,900 liters of fuel.

Characterized by the company as a “performance masterpiece,” the RCT is a permanent high-capacity fuel tank – unlike the two optional additional center tanks that provide the A321LR with its range, which can be activated or deactivated as necessary.

The RCT is positioned within fuselage Sections 15 and 17, situated behind the main landing gear bay. Airbus stated this allows for “maximum volumetric use of the aircraft’s lower fuselage.”

According to the manufacturer, it was “a significant challenge for the teams to guarantee the seamless integration of the new rear center tank and its accompanying fuel systems.”

The situation was further complicated by a stringent development timeline and the peak of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted physical collaborative efforts just as essential development work was needed.

As with all Airbus programs, a complex industrial collaboration among its various European sites is essential to produce A321XLR fuselage sections and wings.

For this latest addition to the A320 Family, the engineering design modifications penetrate deeply into the aircraft’s structural framework and systems – impacting nearly every ATA chapter. Notable features include the A321XLR’s newly designed single-slotted inboard flaps, an upgraded flight control system, enhanced landing gear wheels and brakes, a revamped fuel system, a new water and waste system, along with an improved cabin heating system tailored for long-range operations.

Most importantly, the aircraft boasts a completely reimagined center fuselage that includes a conformal 12,900-litre ‘rear centre tank’ (RCT), a specially designed new fuel system, innovative fibre-metal laminate materials with fire-resistant properties on its lower shell, and a larger, reinforced belly fairing. The combination of this fairing and the RCT's structural design enables the aircraft to withstand emergency belly landing scenarios. In addition, outfitted with sliding pads, the extended fairing serves as a cushion, allowing the aircraft to glide safely to a stop.

Going the distance

The A321XLR took to the skies for its inaugural flight just a day shy of three years after its announcement. Naturally, the priorities within the airline industry have shifted dramatically during that time. The optimism of 2019 regarding future expansion has transitioned into apprehension in 2022, influenced by the effects of ongoing geopolitical tensions and global economic instabilities, as well as rising fuel costs.

Despite these challenges, the A321XLR has proven to be immensely popular – there have been approximately 500 orders for the aircraft from over 20 customers, encompassing major network airlines, low-cost carriers, and lessors globally. But what drives this demand?

Similar to the broader A321neo family, which it belongs to, the A321XLR presents significant economic benefits – featuring 30% lower fuel consumption per seat and improvements in operating costs compared to earlier single-aisle aircraft generations.

This is appealing for airlines. Additionally, the combination of seating configuration and range – enabling it to fly 30% further than a standard A321neo – provides carriers the opportunity to tap into new niche markets with “non-stop flights connecting primary and secondary cities” that were previously not feasible.

The A321XLR complements widebody aircraft by serving the same routes during off-peak periods or in situations of notable seasonal demand fluctuations.

Airbus remarked: “Airlines will have the capacity to operate a lower-cost single-aisle aircraft on longer, less-trafficked routes – many of which are currently only accessible by larger, less efficient widebody aircraft.” It further stated: “This capability will empower operators to establish new global routes, such as India to Europe or China to Australia, while also extending the family’s direct transatlantic reach between continental Europe and the Americas.”

Airbus also emphasized that the A321XLR will possess enough range to connect city pairs like London-Delhi, Miami-London, New York-Rome, Miami-Santiago, Hawaii-Houston, Tokyo-Sydney, Reykjavik-Dubai, and Auckland-Hawaii.

Heir to the 757

Once it makes its debut, the A321XLR will emerge as a well-known – and disruptive – element of the aviation landscape. Prominent independent aviation consultant John Strickland from JLS Consulting underscored the model’s importance to Aviation News: “[Airlines] can provide services on significantly longer-distance routes while managing capacity with much greater precision – without resorting to a widebody.”

Although a drawback of the A321XLR for some operators is its limited capacity to generate extra revenue from underfloor cargo compared to larger aircraft – due to its single-aisle design, it inherently offers less space than a larger jet – Strickland maintained that the A321XLR still “ticks all the boxes” for operators.

Beyond route development, the A321XLR serves as a flexible asset for airlines in managing capacity. A major network airline might, for instance, leverage the aircraft’s range and seating capacity to ‘right-size,’ preserving a long-haul route during periods of reduced demand when deploying a larger-capacity aircraft would be economically unfeasible. It may also utilize it to increase seating on popular short-haul routes where demand for more seats arises.

In this manner, the A321XLR can be viewed as the successor to Boeing’s highly esteemed 757, functioning as a versatile single-aisle narrowbody airliner capable of both pioneering new routes and carrying out established, essential services.

Notably, numerous A321XLR clients are existing or former users of the 757 – including American legacy carriers American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. For these airlines, the new Airbus will serve as a direct replacement on ‘thin’ transatlantic routes and transcontinental journeys within North America, connecting major hubs.

For low-cost carriers like Emirati airline Air Arabia, Malaysia’s AirAsia, and US company Indigo Partners – which owns Hungary’s Wizz Air, Denver-based Frontier, and Chile’s JetSMART – the A321XLR presents an opportunity to broaden networks and increase capacity.

Iberia launches A321XLR into transatlantic service

Iberia, the Spanish flag-carrier, has made history as the first airline globally to operate transoceanic flights using the narrow-body Airbus A321XLR. The inaugural flight departed on November 14 at 12:35 PM from Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, heading to Boston, where it landed at 3:20 PM local time.

The aircraft features the modern Airspace cabin and is configured with two classes, Business and Economy, totaling 182 seats.

Scheduled A321XLR Routes

Low-cost carrier Wizz Air is set to follow with seven-hour services between London Gatwick and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in March, as well as between Milan and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in June. Wizz's planned minimalist A321XLR exemplifies the aircraft's adaptability, as it is suitable for both budget and mainline fleets.

Irish airline Aer Lingus announced in October that it will commence its first A321XLR flight from Dublin to Nashville in April. This eight-and-a-half-hour route represents a unique nonstop offering in the industry, with Aer Lingus as the sole operator.

American Airlines announced in September that its A321XLRs will initially service cross-country routes connecting New York and Boston to Los Angeles and San Francisco before expanding to international destinations. This aircraft will take the place of the airline's transcontinental-specific A321Ts.

United informed Business Insider in August that the A321XLR will essentially assume control of nearly all the existing routes served by the 757 while also introducing new ones.

JetBlue Airways is expected to broaden its operations into Europe, where it currently deploys a fleet of A321neoLRs. The A321XLR boasts a range that exceeds its A321neoLR predecessor by approximately 800 miles.

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