FORT WORTH— American Airlines (AA) has ordered 50 Airbus A321XLR aircraft and expects the first delivery in 2025, though Airbus production delays prevent a more precise timeline.
The airline plans to use the A321XLR on premium transcontinental routes currently served by its A321T.
American Airlines A321XLR Plans
American will transition from the A321T’s four-cabin layout to the A321XLR, which will not feature the current Flagship First class. Instead, it will offer increased premium seating in the form of new Flagship Business suites.
Meanwhile, Iberia (IB), Spain’s national airline, will be the first to operate long-haul flights with the A321XLR, a single-aisle aircraft capable of transatlantic journeys between the U.S. and Europe.
The A321XLR, designed for long-range flights, allows for new routes typically requiring twin-aisle jets and includes lie-flat seats in a transatlantic-ready configuration.
When Iberia’s first A321XLR lands at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) on Thursday, it marks a milestone in aviation, as the Madrid-based airline cites the jet’s fuel efficiency and range as key benefits. These advantages enable carriers to operate on routes traditionally unsuited for wide-body planes.
Many airlines, including American, await the A321XLR’s arrival, which opens up new route possibilities.
A321XLR to Unlock New Routes
American Airlines sees the premium-heavy Airbus A321XLR as key to expanding routes previously unfeasible due to range or operational costs.
By summer 2026, the airline plans to launch new international routes using the XLR’s 4,700-nautical-mile range and its lower operating costs compared to larger Boeing 777 or 787 Dreamliners.
Though specific routes remain undecided, Brian Znotins, American’s vice president of network planning, shared in an exclusive interview with TPG that the airline is evaluating secondary destinations across Spain, Portugal, the U.K., France, Germany, and Scandinavia—locations less suited for wide-body aircraft.
Znotins also noted the potential for deep South American routes from American’s Miami hub, as well as opportunities to add extra flights on certain international routes or convert seasonal service to year-round, by using the XLR in winter and wide-body aircraft in summer.
The airline is also exploring lie-flat seating for a broader selection of transcontinental routes. Currently, American’s A321T provides this amenity only on select routes between New York and Boston on the East Coast and San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Orange County on the West Coast.
Expanding Seasonal Transatlantic Routes
American Airlines (AA) anticipates new route opportunities with the A321XLR but remains committed to strengthening its current international network.
In 2025, AA will launch two seasonal routes to Venice and Naples, Italy, with Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Additionally, the airline will introduce a nonstop flight from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) to Athens (ATH), responding to the high demand for travel to southern Europe.
For summer 2025, AA plans to expand its seat capacity to Italy, Spain, and Greece by 15% compared to summer 2024 and by 21% over pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
American’s CEO highlighted the airline’s joint venture with British Airways (BA), providing top-tier shuttle service between New York’s JFK and London Heathrow.
AA also emphasizes its domestic network, with Sunbelt hubs playing a pivotal role in supporting both domestic and international operations.
As AA explores A321XLR-enabled routes, it aims to balance these expansions with steady growth in its established, profitable international network.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
