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DALLAS — The Airbus A321XLR (Extra Long Range) is nearing its entry into service, with Iberia (IB) set to be the launch customer.
The aircraft was recently spotted undergoing rejected takeoff (RTO) tests at Airbus' facility in Hamburg, Germany. These tests are critical to the certification process and evaluate the aircraft's performance and safety systems during aborted takeoffs.
Iberia plans to introduce the A321XLR on its Madrid-Boston route in November 2024, a type of route traditionally served by wide-body aircraft. Below are the key details about the first A321XLR to be delivered to IB just over two years after its first flight.
Aircraft Details
- Registration: EC-OIL
- Manufacturer Serial Number (MSN): 11504
- Operator: Iberia
Certification, Delivery Progress
- The A321XLR, equipped with CFM Leap 1A engines, received its type certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on July 19, 2024.
- Airbus rolled out the first A321XLR from its paint shop in Hamburg on July 18, 2024.
- Iberia is expected to receive eight A321XLRs in the third quarter of 2024.
A321XLR Capabilities
- Range: Up to 4,700 nautical miles (8,700 km)
- Seating capacity: 180-220 passengers in a typical two-class configuration
- Flight time: Up to 11 hours
The A321XLR represents the next advancement in single-aisle aircraft technology from Airbus. The type allows airlines to operate long-haul routes with the economics of a narrow-body aircraft.
The aircraft's entry into service will mark an important milestone in commercial aviation.
Featured image courtesy: Dirk Grothe
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