Overview
- Saudia received its first A321XLR, registered HZ‑ASBA, which was ferried from Toulouse to Jeddah on May 24, 2026.
- The aircraft is the first A321XLR to enter service in the Middle East and Africa and is the opening unit of a 15‑aircraft XLR order with the remaining jets due through 2027.
- Saudia's A321XLR is fitted in a low‑density two‑class layout with 24 Thomson VantageSOLO full‑flat business suites and 120 economy seats and is powered by CFM LEAP‑1A engines.
- The airline plans to use the type from Jeddah and Riyadh to expand services to Europe, the Maldives and nearby markets, and some reports cite a Jeddah–Madrid service on June 3, 2026 that Saudia has not formally confirmed as a revenue flight.
- With a manufacturer range of about 4,700 nautical miles, the A321XLR lets Saudia open thinner long‑haul routes with lower fuel burn per seat, which could replace widebodies on some city pairs and add premium capacity to support inbound tourism goals under Vision 2030.