On board the world's first Airbus A321XLR, the aircraft that could revolutionize transatlantic travel

15.11.2024 - 00:57 / thepointsguy.com

There's a new plane in the sky that you might fly on your next trip to Europe.

The Airbus A321XLR (which stands for extra long range) is the world's longest-range single-aisle commercial aircraft with a range of up to 4,700 nautical miles (just over 5,400 miles), which will open up new possibilities for mid- and long-haul travel, particularly across the Atlantic.

Related: American mulls new international routes, more lie-flat domestic seats with new 'XLR' jet

Spanish carrier Iberia is the launch customer of the new jet type. It recently received the first of eight A321XLRs it has ordered from French aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the remainder of which will be delivered quickly over the next 15 months.

Although Iberia has been operating training and familiarization flights within Europe for the past week or so, the plane operated its first long-haul flight from Iberia's hub at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) across the Atlantic to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) on Thursday, and TPG was on board to try out Iberia's all-new business-class seat after attending a media event to show off the plane.

TPG booked a flight from Madrid to Boston on Iberia's A321XLR for just 34,000 British Airways Avios and $152 in fees, taxes and surcharges that was originally scheduled for a few days after the inaugural, though the airline eventually let us change our ticket for free to the first flight.

Given that's the standard off-peak redemption requirement for this flight, hopefully we'll see more awards open up as the jet goes into regular service.

Here's what the experience was like and what passengers can expect on board.

The new XLR has a nautical range of 4,700 nautical miles, longer than any other single-aisle (or "narrow-body") aircraft thanks to new technology that includes a third fuel tank. Airbus also claims the jet burns 30% less fuel per seat than previous generation aircraft from competitors.

To put that top distance into perspective, from New York City, this plane, at maximum range, could travel virtually anywhere in Europe nonstop, including as far as Istanbul as well as to much of South America.

In comparison, the previous A321LR variant (which stands for long range) can only fly a maximum of 4,000 nautical miles with a full load of passengers, baggage and cargo, it's unlikely either plane would operate flights to its maximum distance, however, given the complicated logistics and potential safety issues of doing so.

Some other airlines, like Aer Lingus, JetBlue and Scandinavian Airlines, have operated the A321LR across the Atlantic for several years. However, the variant's comparatively limited range means these carriers have only been able to fly the jet on specific routes between