American Airlines Joins Airbus On A321XLR Proving Flights

American Airlines crew have recently been participating in test flights for the Airbus A321XLR, in which the carrier has over 50 on order. With an insider noting, the airline will start providing flights in 2024.

The narrowbody airliner, set to revolutionize connections across the Atlantic and further abroad, is critical to the airline’s success in providing direct international and trans-continental services, which cannot sustain larger widebody aircraft.

Photo: Airbus

Economics is set to play a massive part in the aircraft type’s success, where its nautical range can meet 4,700 nautical miles or up to 11 hours in the air, creating a new realm of possibilities for long-haul travel.

An expedition with Airbus

With American crew members recently deployed for function and reliability testing with Airbus, the manufacturer can prove the aircraft’s reliability once it is released into commercial service. AA staff were treated to establishing runs for flights between Miami and Madrid and back to test the aircraft from top to bottom throughout the services. The two flights, which surpassed 17 hours in flight, covered over 8,000 nautical miles and included discussion and research for all areas of the airline business.

American Airlines tails will once again be seen at six Cuban airports, following the reversal of the ban introduced in 2019. Photo: American Airlines

Once American takes possession of the aircraft next year, premium passengers are expected to be treated with 20 new flagship Suite Seats and 12 in premium economy, alongside the economy class cabin.

New transatlantic routes on the horizon

With the aircraft’s capabilities opening new doors for Americans, we should see once unimaginable routes take flight. With the range perfect for skipping across the Atlantic, the carrier may consider narrowbody routes, including JFK to Naples, Palermo, Vienna, Philadelphia to Lyon, Milan or Hamburg, or even Boston to St Petersburg, Krakow, or Bucharest. While these routes may have once been operated in the past, the economics of deploying a widebody couldn’t sustain weakened demand. However, the A321XLR is perfectly designed to make slimmer-demand routes possible.

What is a proving flight?

Aircraft manufacturers and airlines use probing flights for pilots, crew, and civil aviation officials, alongside other airline personnel, to test the demands of the aircraft before it is set to join commercial service. During these flights, research is undertaken for both flight and cabin crew to test their operational knowledge in simulated environments, where conditions such as smoke, navigational failure, or medical emergencies can be tested.

Photo: Sorbis/Shutterstock

With American Airlines set to take delivery of its first A321XLR, the airline will be gearing up to start its proving flight next year after the successful Miami to Madrid deployments the crew has already experienced with its partner Airbus.