Aer Lingus Welcomes First Airbus A321XLR, Expanding Network and Enhancing Sustainability

Ireland’s national airline, Aer Lingus, has received its first Airbus A321XLR, marking a significant milestone as it becomes the second airline worldwide to operate the aircraft, as well as the second member of the International Airlines Group (IAG) to do so. The aircraft, powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines, was delivered on 18 December, departing from Airbus’ production facility in Hamburg, Germany, and arriving at Aer Lingus’ home base at Dublin Airport.

The new A321XLR is configured with 184 seats in a two-class layout, including 16 Business Class seats that fully recline and 168 seats in Economy Class. It is the first aircraft in Aer Lingus’ fleet to feature the upgraded Airbus Airspace Cabin, which offers enhanced comfort for passengers and crew. Notably, the A321XLR comes with XL overhead bins, providing 60% more storage space than those on earlier aircraft models. This extra capacity and the aircraft’s extended range will allow Aer Lingus to expand its network, launching new routes to destinations such as Nashville and Indianapolis in the U.S., in addition to its current offerings from the East Coast and Canada.

The A321XLR is a key part of the A320neo Family, designed to address the demand for longer range and higher payload capacity. With a range of up to 4,700 nautical miles (nm), the A321XLR offers a 15% improvement in range over the A321LR and a 30% reduction in fuel consumption per seat compared to older models. These enhancements not only make it a more economical choice for airlines but also contribute to lower carbon emissions, with reduced NOx emissions and noise levels. To date, Airbus has received more than 500 orders for the A321XLR from various airlines around the globe.

In terms of sustainability, the A321XLR can already operate with up to 50% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and Airbus has committed to making all of its aircraft capable of running on 100% SAF by 2030, contributing to the aviation industry’s long-term environmental goals.