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.
Related: Long-Haul On a Single-Aisle Plane? Here's What Our Readers Think
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."
Stay tuned ...
RELATED VIDEO:
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees