American Airlines shows off A321XLR, talks strategy for single-aisle jet with suites
It’s still not entirely clear when American Airlines might receive or launch its first Airbus A321XLR aircraft — a single-aisle jet that promises to give it (and its competitors) new flexibility to fly to Europe.
Already, though, the Fort Worth-based carrier is signaling how it plans to first deploy the new aircraft, which will be equipped with its new Flagship business class and a premium economy cabin.
Once delivered and ready to fly, American plans to start the new jet on “premium transcontinental” routes, a top official for the carrier shared this week.
American also released the clearest images of the cabin's interior that we've seen yet. It features new lie-flat private suites, a premium economy cabin and 4K screens throughout the main cabin.
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Starting transcontinental
Currently, American flies its popular A321T on its top transcontinental routes, including New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) as well as between LAX and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).
The swanky four-cabin, narrow-body Airbus offers Flagship First and Business class, plus premium economy and a heavy dose of extra-legroom Main Cabin Extra seats.
But, as TPG has reported in recent years, American plans to eventually phase out those A321Ts (along with Flagship First on those aircraft and on its larger Boeing 777-300ER).
Out with the A321T, in with the XLR
As expected, though, the A321Ts will get a premium-heavy replacement: American plans to phase the new A321XLRS in right as the A321Ts are phased out, according to Kimberly Cisek, American’s vice president of customer experience.
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“We’ll start to transition the A321T into the A321XLR. So, this will probably be one of the first routes that the aircraft flies, is our transcon, as we start to transition [the A321T] out],” Cisek explained during remarks at the 2024 Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany.
Long-term, though, American — and other carriers — have overseas visions for the jet, too.
A 'game changer' of an aircraft
The “XLR” in the A321XLR stands for “Extra Long Range.”
With a range of 4,700 nautical miles boasted by Airbus, the jet’s fuel efficiency makes it a candidate for international routes — including transatlantic flights between parts of the U.S. and Europe.
It’s an enticing prospect for airlines and, potentially, travelers, too.
“We expect to see some interesting developments coming forward as these new long-range aircraft … come into service,” industry analyst Max Kingsley-Jones, of consultancy Ascend by Cirium, said during remarks in Hamburg Wednesday.
Network flexibility
Specifically, the combination of the A321XLR’s range and its lower passenger counts (compared to the twin-aisle jets that are more common on overseas flights) should allow airlines to expand their route maps.
It could mean more flights to smaller European cities or routes to Europe from smaller U.S. cities.
The XLR could also help airlines maintain service on certain lower-demand international routes — allowing them to switch to smaller plans during off-peak months (like winter) when carriers might otherwise pause service to avoid losing money flying empty seats.
Steven Udvar-Hazy, executive chairman of Air Lease Corporation, spoke to the flexibility these aircraft offer during an industry conference last fall.
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“For four or five months of the year, it might be profitable to operate a 787-9 or an A350 on a certain city pair. But in the low season, to operate a 190, 200-seat XLR is probably more efficient … more economical,” Udvar-Hazy said in November. “Maybe you can fly to Bordeaux or Nice and bypass congested hubs and have direct flights from the [U.S.] East Coast.”
American: New and different routes coming
Similar options may well be on the table at American — though Cisek was quick to deflect questions on specific network plans in the works.
“This will support our network, allowing us to fly places where we wouldn’t have flown a wide-body [jet] before,” Cisek said Tuesday in Germany.
“We will not only be able to expand seasonal routes to year-round routes,” Cisek said. “But we’ll also be able to fly to new, popular destinations we wouldn’t have been able to do before.”
Before that can happen, though, American needs the XLR delivered — as do its competitors awaiting the jet.
Hundreds of jets on order
Airbus plans to deliver its first A321XLR during the third quarter of 2024, the aircraft manufacturer reiterated to TPG Wednesday.
In all, the Toulouse, France-based plane-maker has orders for 541 XLRs from 25 customers, including United Airlines, JetBlue, Frontier, Iberia and LATAM Airlines.
For its part, American first committed to the XLR in 2019, placing an order for 50 of the long-range jets.
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American's A321XLR interior
As part of her remarks Tuesday, Cisek shared images of its spiffy new interior, which are far more detailed than what TPG shared in 2022 after the airline first released renderings of the plane's interior.
The aircraft is expected to offer 20 of its new Flagship suites. Laid out in 1-1 configuration facing the aisle, each suite will have sliding privacy doors — a first for American.
The renderings American shared clearly show lie-flat beds, high-quality entertainment screens, wireless charging for personal devices and a storage area that doubles as a nightstand.
It will also offer 12 premium economy recliners with privacy headrests, leg and footrests, and a pocket for wireless phone charging.
American's branding will be prominent throughout the cabin, including on each headrest. In the main cabin, passengers will find 4K screens and seats with a new, lighter blue covering.
You can get a sense of the general ambience of A321XLR from this demonstrator Airbus had on hand in Hamburg; it features its signature “Airspace” cabin, though specific elements (like the seats and branding) will be unique to American.
“We have brought a wide-body experience to a narrow-body aircraft,” Cisek said. “Our Flagship experience has helped influence how we designed this overall product.”
When will American's A321XLRs start flying?
The lingering question, of course, is when these jets might take flight. American has already delayed the rollout of its Flagship suites on new Boeing 787 Dreamliner deliveries due to production delays.
“It’s a little early to share dates,” Cisek said of the XLR. “We’re working with Airbus, as well as our suppliers, and we’ll have a date to share with you soon.”
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| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
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
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $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.