Summary

  • Iberia’s first Airbus A321XLR was spotted after a paint job recently.
  • Iberia is the launch customer of the A321XLR and expects to deploy it on commercial operations later this year.
  • Airbus is also said to be close to receiving the necessary certifications for the aircraft.

As the Airbus A321XLR nears entry into service later this year, the first of the several XLRs due to go to Iberia was recently spotted at the Airbus facility after receiving a fresh paint job. Iberia is the launch customer of the aircraft type and recently also started booking A321XLR flights that will operate in November.

Aircraft spotted after paint job

Both Airbus and Iberia marked the occasion of the airline’s first Airbus A321XLR plane receiving a paint job as it prepares to be delivered later this year. It was the first of eight XLRs that will go to the airline and was seen leaving the paint hangar at the Airbus facility.

The Airbus A321XLR is one of the most hotly anticipated aircraft in recent times, given that it has a range of 4,700 nautical miles for a narrowbody plane. Since the program was launched, several airlines have shown interest in the plane, including IndiGo, Qantas, and American Airlines, but Iberia will be the type’s launch customer.

Airbus has marketed the plane as having the ability to perform long-haul flights lasting up to 10 hours and more. While some have raised doubts about the comfort level during such long flights in a narrowbody plane, airlines the world over have lined up to place orders.

Airbus A321XLR fuselage at the ILA Berlin airshow shutterstock_2479195465

Photo: Photofex_AUT | Shutterstock

First flight bookable

In June, Iberia put the first flight using the Airbus A321XLR on sale on its website. The service between Madrid Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) will be operated by the XLR on November 14, 2024.

The carrier will use the A321XLR on the route interchangeably with an Airbus A330. The development came after Marco Sansavini, Iberia’s chief executive officer (CEO), previously said that the carrier was looking to deploy the plane on flights to BOS and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) during the upcoming winter season.

Paris Air Show 2023 Day 1 - Flying display A321XLR

Photo: Airbus

Interestingly, Ireland-based Aer Lingus was initially slated to be the launch customer of the type, with the first aircraft even briefly sporting the carrier’s tail. However, due to a contract dispute between Aer Lingus and its pilots, represented by the Irish Air Line Pilots Association (IALPA), IAG tweaked the delivery slots within its group airlines.

Nearing certification

While the A321XLR entry into service is highly anticipated, Airbus has also had to make several modifications to the aircraft to get all the required certifications. One of the key points of discussion between Airbus and regulators was the introduction of the rear center tank (RCT).

The RCT has been included in the aircraft by removing some cargo space and creating more room for fuel, which gives the aircraft its impressive range. However, this required some changes to the aircraft structure, including introducing a new, larger, and reinforced belly fairing, allowing it to sustain emergency belly landing conditions.

Related

Airbus A321XLR Nears Certification & Entry To Service

Airbus stated that certification for CFM International LEAP-1A-powered A321XLRs was “imminent.”

The plane maker had earlier said that it was busy ironing out these issues and working closely with EASA and FAA to ensure the safety of the RCT design. Recent reports suggest that the aircraft is now close to receiving the green light from authorities.

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