Aer Lingus, Ireland’s flag carrier, has received its first two Airbus A321XLR aircraft, marking a significant step in the airline’s fleet modernization and expansion plans. The new aircraft, registered as EI-XLR (St. Lelia/Liadhain) and EI-XLT (St. Melanie/Mella), arrived at Dublin Airport on December 19th, 2024.
The A321XLR is a long-range, single-aisle aircraft with a range of up to 8,700 kilometers (4,700 nautical miles), a 15% increase over the A321LR. This extended range will enable Aer Lingus to serve existing transatlantic routes and explore new destinations. Aer Lingus has announced the aircraft will operate to Nashville and Indianapolis for the summer of 2025.
Aer Lingus is the second airline globally and the second within the International Airlines Group (IAG) to operate the A321XLR. The airline has ordered six of these aircraft in total, with plans to expand its A321XLR fleet to six by 2025.
“The arrival of our two new Airbus A321XLRs mark a significant milestone for Aer Lingus,” said Lynne Embleton, Chief Executive of Aer Lingus. “The long-range capabilities of the XLR enable us to travel deeper into North America, offering previously unserved markets greater connectivity to Europe through our Dublin hub.”
The Aer Lingus A321XLR is configured with 184 seats in a two-class layout, featuring 16 full-flat Business Class seats and 168 Economy Class seats. The aircraft boasts Airbus’ Airspace Cabin, which includes larger overhead bins, wider seats, in-seat connectivity, and advanced cabin lighting systems.
“Aer Lingus becomes the latest operator of the world’s newest single-aisle aircraft: the A321XLR,” said Benoît de Saint Exupéry, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer. “It will truly revolutionise long-haul travel, allowing airlines to tap into new exciting city pairings as will be demonstrated by Aer Lingus.”
The A321XLR also offers improved fuel efficiency, with Airbus stating it has a 30% lower fuel burn per seat compared to previous-generation competitor aircraft. It can also operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Aer Lingus, as part of IAG, has committed to using 10% SAF by 2030 and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The addition of the A321XLR to Aer Lingus’ fleet positions the airline to strengthen its presence in the transatlantic market. The aircraft’s capabilities will allow the airline to offer new routes and enhance the passenger experience on its long-haul flights.
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