Iberia plans first A321XLR flights – but American’s timeline extends to 2025

It appears that we are now less than four months away from our first commercial flights with the new Airbus A321XLR – a single-aisle aircraft hailed as a “game changer” for its ability to fly long-haul routes over seas. (“XLR” in the A321XLR stands for “Extra Long Range.”)

A few weeks ago, Spanish flag carrier Iberia shared photos of its first A321XLR leaving the Airbus paint shop in Toulouse, France.

The crisis occurred nearly two months after the airline, a member of the Oneworld Alliance, announced it would be the first airline in the world to fly the new plane.

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In fact, Iberia is already selling the first seats on its first XLR, with 14 false seats in business class.

Now, if you’re hoping to fly — in one of American Airlines’ new Flagship Suites, no less — you may be waiting longer than expected.

But the flight itself is coming soon.

Iberia’s first scheduled A321XLR flights

Iberia’s booking channels indicate non-stop XLR service between Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) starting immediately on November 14.

The airline’s website also shows additional service from MAD to Dulles International Airport (IAD) starting as soon as January.

Those plans came to fruition in mid-July, when Airbus announced approval from European Union regulators for fuel-efficient jet engines.

In a statement announcing the EU approval, the French plane maker boasted that it “sits close to the most people in the fleet.”

The main reason why carriers – from Iberia to American to United Airlines – have large flight plans, including international business class experience before.

Read more: How to book Iberia flights to Spain (and beyond) using Avios

A unique networking opportunity

In a May statement, Iberia noted that the A321XLR will “strengthen its long-haul network,” thanks to its long-haul integration and low passenger capacity.

With a range of 4,700 nautical miles – much more than you can find in other thin-body jets – the plane will be able to fly certain routes between the US and Europe (such as Madrid and Boston).

The Iberia XLR will carry only 182 passengers. By comparison, it carries about 300 passengers on its fleet of A330 wide-body jets, and its A350 can carry 348 passengers.

Since there are fewer seats to fill than a large, wide-body aircraft, airlines see the XLR as a way to fly “smaller” long-haul routes that may not get enough bookings to fill an A330 … or a Boeing 777, or a 787 Dreamliner. Empty seats in those can make profits drop quickly.

It’s a strategy JetBlue has already implemented on its transatlantic routes, using the short-haul A321LR to fly between cities in the Northeast and several destinations in northwest Europe.

That no-nonsense proposal would give carriers more freedom to explore offering nonstop flights from the U.S. to “weak” destinations in Europe — or fly to major European cities from smaller U.S. hubs.

Similarly, airlines may be able to continue flying certain routes throughout the year instead of pausing during off-peak months.

“Not only will we be able to expand seasonal routes to year-round routes … but we’ll also be able to fly to new, popular destinations that we couldn’t do before,” an American Airlines vice president said. customer experience Kimberly Cisek said during remarks in late May at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany.

American XLR systems

American, which began ordering 50 XLRs in 2019, plans to begin domestic flights on “premium transcontinental” routes operated by the swanky, four-cabin A321T, which has been completed. Even if American doesn’t plan to use the jet’s full range right away, it could use more efficient fuel and other performance enhancements.

Like the popular A321T, however, American’s XLRs will lean more towards premium, with its Flagship Business suites, premium economy cabin and a hefty amount of extra-legroom Main Cabin Extra seats in the rear.

It is expected in 2025

When American will begin flying the XLR, however, remains unclear. On the carrier’s earnings call in late July, CEO Robert Isom said the plane is expected to join the fleet in 2025. US officials had previously targeted late 2024.

Airbus delivery times have slowed recently, with the company citing supply chain difficulties for reducing expected late-June deliveries.

Bottom line

On the other hand, Iberia plans to emphasize the same premium on all eight XLRs it has to receive in the coming months; there will be 14 business pods on board, each featuring direct access to the aisle and 18-inch, 4K entertainment screens.

When its first XLR begins commercial service — possibly in November — it will offer travelers a thin-body, transatlantic option perhaps comparable to JetBlue’s Mint house that flies between Northeast and Europe.

Currently, bookings for the first XLR flights are open on the Iberia website, whether you’re hoping to use cash or Avios.

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