Iberia schedules first A321XLR flights — but American eyes 2025 timeline
It appears we’re now less than four months away from the first commercial flights aboard the new Airbus A321XLR — a single-aisle aircraft hailed as a “game changer” for its ability to fly longer transoceanic routes. (The "XLR" in the A321XLR stands for "Extra Long Range.")
In recent weeks, Spanish flag carrier Iberia has shared images of its first A321XLR leaving Airbus’ paint shop in Toulouse, France.
That sneak peek of sorts came about two months after the carrier, a Oneworld Alliance member, announced it would be the first airline in the world to fly the new aircraft.
In fact, Iberia is already selling the first seats on its first XLR, which boasts 14 lie-flat seats in business class.
Now, if you’re hoping to fly the jet — in one of American Airlines’ new Flagship Suites, no less — you'll be waiting a bit longer.
But the aircraft itself is coming soon.
Iberia's first A321XLR flights scheduled
Iberia’s booking channels show nonstop XLR service between Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) starting as soon as Nov. 14.
The airline’s website also shows additional service from MAD to Dulles International Airport (IAD) beginning as soon as January.
Those plans got a leg up in mid-July, when Airbus announced approval from European Union regulators for the jet’s fuel-efficient engines.
In a statement announcing the EU approval, the French plane-maker boasted the aircraft “sits side by side with widebodies in an airline’s fleet.”
That’s a big reason why carriers — from Iberia to American to United Airlines — have big plans for the jet, including a bona fide international business class experience up front.
Read more: How to book Iberia flights to Spain (and beyond) using Avios
A unique network opportunity
In a May statement, Iberia noted the A321XLR will “reinforce its long-haul network,” owing to its combination of long range and smaller passenger capacity.
With a range of 4,700 nautical miles — far more than you’ll find on other narrow-body jets — the aircraft will be capable of flying certain routes between the U.S. and Europe (like, for instance, Madrid and Boston).
Iberia’s XLR will carry just 182 passengers. In comparison, there's a nearly 300-passenger capacity on its fleet of wide-body A330 jets, and its A350 can hold 348 passengers.
With fewer seats to fill than a larger, wide-body jet, airlines see the XLR as a way to fly longer "thin" routes that might not garner enough bookings to fill an A330 ... or a Boeing 777, or 787 Dreamliner. Empty seats on those can quickly cause profits to plummet.
It's the strategy JetBlue has used on its transatlantic routes, using a shorter-range A321LR to fly between cities in the Northeast and several spots in northwestern Europe.
That less risky proposition could offer carriers more leeway to experiment with offering nonstop flights from the U.S. to more “off-the-beaten-path” destinations in Europe — or fly to major European cities from smaller U.S. points of origin.
Similarly, airlines might be able to continue flying certain routes year-round instead of pausing for the off-peak months.
“We will not only be able to expand seasonal routes to year-round routes ... but we’ll also be able to fly to new, popular destinations we wouldn’t have been able to do before,” American Airlines vice president of customer experience Kimberly Cisek said during late-May remarks at Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany.
American's XLR plans
American, which first ordered 50 XLRs in 2019, plans to start the jet domestically on “premium transcontinental” routes currently flown by its swanky, four-cabin A321T, which is being phased out. Even if American doesn't plan to use the jet's full range right away, it can take advantage of greater fuel efficiency and other performance boosts.
Like the popular A321T, though, American’s XLRs will skew heavily toward premium, with its Flagship Business suites, a premium economy cabin and a heavy proportion of extra-legroom Main Cabin Extra seats in the back.
Expected in 2025
When American will start flying the XLR, though, remains a bit unclear. On the carrier’s late-July earnings call, CEO Robert Isom said the jet is expected to join the fleet in 2025.
Airbus delivery timelines have slipped a bit recently, with the company citing supply chain difficulties in tempering delivery expectations in late June.
Bottom line
For its part, Iberia plans to similarly emphasize premium on the eight total XLRs that it’s due to receive in the coming months; there will be 14 business pods on board, each featuring direct aisle access and 18-inch, 4K entertainment screens.
Once its first XLR begins commercial service — possibly by November — it’ll offer travelers a narrow-body, transatlantic option perhaps only comparable to JetBlue’s Mint cabin flown between the Northeast and Europe.
In the meantime, booking for the first XLR flights is open on Iberia’s website, whether you’re hoping to use cash or a stash of Avios.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.