Airbus Delivers 100th A321XLR as Transatlantic Narrowbody Era Expands

Airbus confirmed delivery of its 100th A321XLR last week, marking a significant production milestone for the extra-long-range narrowbody variant that entered service in late 2024.

The aircraft, destined for Iberia, will serve transatlantic routes from Madrid competing directly with widebody capacity on thinner markets.

Fleet Distribution

Launch customers including Iberia, Aer Lingus, and JetBlue operate the largest XLR fleets. Iberia has deployed the type on routes to Boston, Chicago, and Washington, reporting load factors exceeding 85%.

The XLR’s 4,700nm range opens routes previously requiring widebody aircraft, with seat-mile economics favoring the single-aisle platform on mid-demand city pairs.

Production Outlook

Airbus targets 75 monthly A320 family deliveries by 2026, with XLR production ramping alongside standard A321neo output. Order backlog exceeds 500 aircraft as carriers pursue transatlantic expansion opportunities.