American Airlines Orders 50 of Airbus's New Long-Range A321XLR
American Airlines has ordered 50 of Airbus’s new A321XLR in a deal that provides a dramatic cap to the deal-making portion of the 2019 Paris Air Show.
The order is for Airbus’s newest, longest-range version of the narrow-body jet that was just formally launched this week at the Paris Air Show. American’s order had been rumored for several weeks, and its confirmation came as the business schedule of the show wound down on Wednesday. The show will be open to the general public for the rest of the week.
The new A321XLR variant – the “XLR” stands for “extra long range” – has a range of up to 5,400 miles.
According to Airbus, the deal announced on Wednesday includes the conversion of 30 of American’s existing A321neo slots into A321XLRs plus and additional order of 20 more planes, all A321XLRs. The first models of the new jet are expected to begin arriving to American in 2023.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Getting Upgraded on American Airlines
The plane’s 5,400-mile range could in theory allow American to use it for European flights out of its busiest hub at Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW). A flight from DFW to Paris Charles de Gaulle, for example, covers a distance of just under 5,000 miles, according to the Great Circle Mapper website.
Despite that, an Airbus release announcing the order hints at other routes, saying the A321 XLR “will allow airlines to operate the aircraft from U.S. East Coast airports to medium-size European cities.”
American president Robert Isom addressed that topic shortly after the order was announced, saying the aircraft could be used on anything from cross-country domestic routes to routes to "close-in Europe or in Europe or close-in South America."
"Adding in some 321XLRs (to the carrier's fleet) is going to give us an opportunity to do some things we haven’t thought about in the past," he said in a video segment posted to the company's website Wednesday morning. "I take a look at places like (New York) JFK and Philadelphia and Charlotte – even DFW – as ... opening up some new markets that will help the network (and) help us serve our customers better and (it) allows us to create a fantastic product."
The video, produced by American's media relations team, also addressed media coverage that talked about the then-rumored order and the idea of "squeezing so many people in for flying overseas" on the narrow-body planes.
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Isom, responding to a question on that topic, suggested that American would configure its new A321XLRs with "a cabin that’s appropriate for the mission."
He noted that American's current A321 models have seating capacities that range from just 102 on its A321T transcon models to up to 196 in denser configurations.
"When we take at a look at the opportunities – whether it’s transcon opportunities or close-in Europe or close-in South America – we can configure this aircraft anywhere in between," Isom said. "So if and when we fly it to close-in Europe, and say we set up a Philadelphia to Basel (route), that would require lie-flat seats, all-aisle access for business class, world-class Wi-Fi and entertainment."
"It would also allow for premium economy and then also for an economy section, as well," he continued. "So when we take a look at it, it’s not about the density of seats. It really is for creating a cabin that’s appropriate for the mission."
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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
- 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.