Overview
- Saudia ferried its first A321XLR, registration HZ‑ASBA, to Jeddah on Sunday after delivery from Airbus in Toulouse.
- The aircraft is fitted with Saudia’s new two‑class cabin called 'The New Saudia Experience' and seats 144, including 24 Thomson VantageSOLO lie‑flat business seats.
- Media outlets report initial European services could begin in early June, but the airline has not publicly confirmed the date for the jet’s entry into revenue service.
- This jet is the first of 15 firm A321XLRs from a 2019 A321neo commitment, with Saudia expecting remaining deliveries through 2027 and broader narrowbody capacity planned across Saudia and its low‑cost unit flyadeal.
- The A321XLR’s up to 4,700 nautical mile range lets Saudia serve longer thin routes more efficiently, enabling direct links to Europe and destinations like the Maldives and supporting the kingdom’s tourism and network growth plans.