Summary
Irish national carrier Aer Lingus today became the second airline to take delivery of the brand new Airbus A321XLR variant.
Following launch customer Iberia last month, Aer Lingus will become the latest airline to introduce this “game changing” aircraft which has already seen orders and interest from many airlines around the world.
Aer Lingus A321XLR Delivery Flight
☘️✈️ Here she is!!!
The brand-new Aer Lingus A321XLR registered EI-XLR at Dublin Airport
#aviation #avgeek #DublinAirport #ireland #Dublin #Aerlingus #travel #airbus #delivery #A321XLR #EIXLR #PlaneSpotter #avgeeks #planes #hamburg @flightradar24 @AerLingus pic.twitter.com/2P8f0ZnAy2— Shauns_Aviation🇮🇪✈️ (@Shauns_Aviation) December 18, 2024
The first Airbus A321XLR for Aer Lingus, appropriately, has the registration EI-XLR. It’s construction number is 11348.
Delivery took place on 18 December from Hamburg Finkenwerder, Germany to Dublin, Ireland.
Second Delivery Flight
Interestingly, Aer Lingus is also planning to receive its second A321XLR, EI-XLT, today too.
At the time of writing it was planned to fly from Hamburg to Dublin on the evening of 18 December.
Where Will Aer Lingus Fly the A321XLR
EI-XLR at Dublin. Photo (c) Mark Willis
So far, Aer Lingus has confirmed that its new A321XLR aircraft will be used on two brand new North American services.
These are Nashville and Indianapolis, which will be served non-stop from Dublin from 12th April and 3rd May 2025 respectively.
However, this leaves some four months from delivery to the introduction of these services during which there are no confirmed plans for the new type.
Therefore we can only assume that Aer Lingus will use the new A321XLR on shorter routes to aid in crew familiarisation, and so enthusiasts can realistically expect to see it on European services from late December or January.
About the A321XLR
A321XLR prototype
This latest variant of the Airbus A321neo aircraft offers the longest range yet, at some 4,700 nautical miles (8,700 kilometres), offering airlines an incredible choice in destination pairs on a global scale.
Yet the type is also well suited to the standard short- and medium-haul route networks already operated by other A321neo variants by airline customers.
Aer Lingus’ A321XLRs seat 184 passengers in a two-class configuration, with 168 seats in economy and 16 in business.
Change of Launch Customer
While both Aer Lingus and Iberia are part of the International Airlines Group (IAG), and their new Airbus A321XLRs are all part of the same order for 14 aircraft placed by the company, it was the Irish carrier that was originally intended to be the launch customer.
In fact, Iberia’s first A321XLR – EC-OIL – was originally part-painted in the Aer Lingus livery.
However, problems with pilot unions and industrial action led to a last-minute switch which saw Iberia take the first aircraft and become the launch customer in November.
Now, however, it seems Aer Lingus is ready to take on the A321XLR and introduce all it has to offer to passengers in 2025.
