JEDDAH— Saudia (SV) has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR, registered HZ-ASBA, marking a major step in the carrier’s narrow body fleet expansion. The aircraft will operate medium and long haul routes from Jeddah (JED) and Riyadh (RUH) starting early June 2026.
The new jet introduces the Thompson VantageSOLO business class seat, offering fully flat beds with direct aisle access. Saudia plans to deploy the A321XLR on routes to Barcelona (BCN), Brussels (BRU), Milan (MXP), Rome (FCO), Dakar (DKR), and Male (MLE).
Saudia’s Premium A321XLR Cabin Configuration
Saudia has ordered 15 Airbus A321XLRs, the manufacturer’s newest long-haul narrow-body jet capable of flying up to 4,700 nautical miles.
The airline has chosen a highly premium layout, fitting each aircraft with just 144 seats. This includes 24 business class seats and 120 economy class seats, making it the most premium A321XLR configuration among global carriers.
The layout closely matches JetBlue’s (B6) A321LR, which features 138 seats in a similar two-class arrangement, OMAAT flagged.
Saudia’s choice signals a clear focus on premium travelers heading to Europe, Africa, and the Indian subcontinent.
Thompson VantageSOLO Business Class Seats
The airline has selected the Thompson VantageSOLO seat for its A321XLR business class cabin. Every business class passenger enjoys a fully flat bed and direct aisle access, which sets a new benchmark for the carrier’s narrow body fleet.
The VantageSOLO has become the most common next generation flat bed seat for narrow body aircraft. JetBlue uses the same product across its Mint cabins on the A321LR and select A321neos. Saudia’s version will feature customized finishes that reflect its brand identity.
The cabin images released by Saudia show the bulkhead version of the VantageSOLO seat, which provides significantly more room than standard seats.
JetBlue markets a similar bulkhead variant as the Mint Studio and charges an extra fee for selection. Saudia has not confirmed whether it will follow a similar pricing approach.
Standard VantageSOLO seats, known as Mint Suites on JetBlue, still deliver a strong product with flat beds and aisle access, though they offer less personal space than the bulkhead version.
A Major Upgrade From the Previous Narrow Body Product
Saudia began installing flat beds on narrow body aircraft only in 2018, when it introduced the Collins Aerospace Diamond seat on its Airbus A320s.
The shift to VantageSOLO represents a clear product evolution and brings the airline closer to the standards set by global competitors.
While many travelers prefer reverse herringbone seats that face the windows, the herringbone style used by VantageSOLO remains a competitive option.
Carriers such as ITA Airways (AZ) on its A321neos and Etihad Airways (EY) on its A321LRs have opted for reverse herringbone layouts.
Entry Into Service And Route Network
The A321XLR is scheduled to enter commercial service in early June 2026. Saudia plans to deploy the aircraft on point-to-point routes that do not require the capacity of a widebody jet.
The plane’s range allows the carrier to open thinner long haul markets while keeping premium service standards.
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
