The first extra-long-range Airbus A321 is delivered as smaller jets extend their flight distances.
- Airbus handed over its first extra-long-range 321 narrow-body aircraft to Iberia.
- It can fly farther and burn less fuel than previous models.
- Other customers include American Airlines and United Airlines.
On Wednesday, Airbus announced that it has delivered its first extra-long-range narrow-body aircraft, the A321XLR, signifying another advancement in the trend of smaller and more fuel-efficient jets covering greater distances, and thereby increasing the delivery gap between Airbus and its competitor.
Iberia, a Spanish airline, has received the first aircraft and also ordered 321XLRs, which it plans to use for flights between Madrid and Boston next month.
The XLR, a long-range version of the 321 aircraft, can fly up to 11 hours nonstop or 4,700 nautical miles, which is about 15% farther than the A321LR, used for trans-Atlantic missions like 's service between New York and Amsterdam.
For five years, the aircraft manufacturer has been working to obtain certification for the plane. The new aircraft consumes approximately 30% less fuel than its older counterparts, the manufacturer stated.
The European company has over 500 A321XLRs on order, which is a small portion of its backlog of nearly 8,600 airplanes as of June 30. Despite this, the company is introducing a new aircraft as its competitor Boeing faces challenges.
The company has temporarily shelved plans for a new aircraft that would bridge the gap between 737s and wide-body jetliners, and could replace aging 757s, following the occurrence of two fatal crashes involving the 737 Max.
The company is now considering downsizing, cutting jobs, and possibly divesting from non-core businesses in order to save money and enhance quality.
On an earnings call last week, Boeing's new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, stated that at the appropriate time in the future, the company needs to create a new airplane, but there is a significant amount of work that must be completed before that can happen.
Business News
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