The world’s longest-range single-aisle commercial aircraft has made its inaugural flight, from Madrid, Spain, to Boston, USA.
The brand new “extra long range” Airbus A321XLR had in fact completed six previous jaunts around Europe to Paris Charles De Gaulle, Barcelona, and Stockholm Arlanda airports. But the seven-and-a-half hour transatlantic mission was Airbus’s first real chance to show off the long-haul credentials of the latest addition to its stable.
30% more efficient, opening up a new era of sustainable routes
With a range of up to 7,500 kilometres (4,000 nautical miles), the aircraft is unique among slim-bodies, its third tank meaning it could bring open up a range of transatlantic routes that have so far been restricted due to the limited range of the traditional wider-bodied craft that serve flights across the Pond. The craft’s next-generation engines and cutting edge aerodynamics bring efficiency gains of around 30%, press materials say, reducing emissions and fuel consumption in line with aviation industry targets.
FlightRadar24 has hailed the XLR for ushering in of an “era of travel with more direct and sustainable route options” and Aer Lingus has already promised to use the XLR on new routes from the Irish capital to Nashville and Indianapolis next year.
60% more hand luggage room, espresso and tapas
But Iberia took delivery of their XLR at the end of October 2024, and will be rolling out seven more in coming months; and that means it was an Iberia flight that took the headlines this week. Building from three weekly flights, to six by Christmas 2024 and then daily in 2025, the Madrid – Boston route will be joined by a Washington Dulles route in the New Year.
Inside, the craft boasts 60% more hand luggage capacity, 168 economy seats, and 14 business class seats. In terms of comfort, aviation writer Miquel Ros told CNN the cabin is “a decent compromise between the known space limitations and the need for efficiency. The business class seats are slightly narrower than the ones on the airline’s twin-aisle aircraft, but they still offer a clearly differentiated premium experience as well as the ability to sleep flat.” Economy class meanwhile is “similar to that found on larger aircraft types as well as the same inflight entertainment system.”
Design-wise, the cabin appears decked out with a muted, ecru-toned colour-scheme, and an extra fast espresso machine. And, the Points Guy has noted, being Iberia, the flight also offers a tasty Spanish tapas course to its business passengers, who are treated to regional produce including manchego cheese, quince paste and Iberian jamon.
