AIRWAYS FEATURE Xtra-Long Reaching Ambitions
11 From the outside , passengers may not be able to spot the differences between the A321neo and the A321XLR . However , this sticker provides some help for those flying on the Madrid-Boston route .
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new variant . This was confirmed at a press event held in Le Bourget .
Following MEA , Cebu Pacific was the second airline to order the XLR , signing for 10 units , followed by Saudia with 15 units , and , last , by the International Airlines Group ( IAG ) with 14 airframes .
Fast forward to 2024 , and the title of ‘ world ’ s first A321XLR operator ’ was awarded to Iberia , the national airline of Spain . Analyzing the circumstances surrounding each airline ’ s decision , we can see why MEA , Cebu Pacific , and Saudia missed the opportunity to become launch customers .
Middle East Airlines intended to use the Airbus A321XLR to help expand its route network from Beirut to Eastern Asia and Africa . However , since October 2023 , Lebanon has been embroiled in the conflict engulfing Israel and Palestinians . The resulting unstable geopolitical environment influenced both Airbus and MEA to decide against launching the A321XLR in the region . The first deliveries of the airframe to MEA have currently been postponed until at least 2026 .
Cebu Pacific is the largest low-cost carrier in the Philippines . At the Paris Air Show , it initially selected the A321XLR as part of a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU ) for a total of 31 Airbus aircraft . However , this was only an MoU — not a firm order — and the deal never came to fruition . As of December 2024 , Cebu Pacific operates 18 A321neo units , none of which belong to the new variant , raising doubts about whether it will ever add an XLR to its fleet .
As for Saudia , the airline signed a firm order for 65 additional A320neo family planes at the Paris Air Show , including up to 15 units of the XLR . Neither Airbus nor Saudia has clarified the reasons for delays in deliveries , which have prevented Saudia from becoming the launch customer . Despite these setbacks , Saudia is undergoing significant commercial and operational transformations , including brand identity changes and strategic alignments with a new airline , Riyadh Air . This could explain the delays in its XLR deliveries , although standard A321neos are being delivered to Saudia without issues .
To date , there are no clear signs that assembly has begun on its first plane . However , the airline is heavily promoting a new Business Class seat for the intended aircraft .
Last , we look at the International Airlines Group , which confirmed its status as the launch
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