Overview
- Airbus handed United its first A321XLR (registration N64321) at its Hamburg facility, marking the first active delivery from United’s 50-aircraft order.
- United configured the narrowbody for long-haul flying with 150 seats including 20 lie-flat Polaris business suites, 12 Premium Plus seats and 118 economy seats to support extended international sectors.
- The A321XLR has a manufacturer range of about 4,700 nautical miles, a capability that lets airlines serve long, low-demand routes that previously required larger widebody jets.
- United intends to use the type to phase out older Boeing 757s on transatlantic services and to open or sustain service to smaller European and South American markets.
- Deliveries are now moving from delay to ramp-up and observers should watch for ferry flights and U.S. route announcements that will show how quickly United shifts 757 flying to the XLR fleet.