Slim-bodied, single aisle seats and extra-long range: Inside Iberia’s game-changing aircraft

16.11.2024 - 01:21 / euronews.com / Jennifer Marsden

The future of long-haul flying is just around the corner. Think single-aisle interiors in narrow-bodied planes, longer flights, and better fuel efficiency.

The new next-generation aircraft, manufactured by Airbus, shows promise.

Spanish airline Iberia had the honour of being the first commercial carrier to use the new A321XLR yesterday, taking off from Madrid on a seven-and-a-half-hour flight to Boston.

Inside the plane, the new Airspace cabin reveals 182 seats distributed across two classes.

Due to their single-aisle configuration, the cabins feel a little more personal, akin to a private jet.

The roomy overhead compartments allow for 60 per cent more capacity for hand luggage than most aircraft.

If you fancy a quick beverage, the galley boasts great tech, including an espresso machine that can make a cup of coffee in under 35 seconds.

Across the aircraft, there are four bathrooms, including one that’s for exclusive use by business passengers. These all put hygiene first with antibacterial surfaces, motion-sensor taps, and pedal-operated waste bins.

In business class, you’ll find 14 individual seats, which boast a wide leather headrest and can be turned into fully flat beds.

As you’d expect from the higher-priced ticket, there are plenty of compartments for you to conveniently store your personal belongings, and each seat boasts its own lighting system so you can pick your desired ambience.

You can also enjoy crystal-clear viewing of the in-flight entertainment on your individual 18.5-inch screen with 4K resolution.

And, if you happen to be on a red-eye flight, you won’t need to be clambering around trying to find your seat as your seat number is backlit on night flights.

What’s more, Iberia serves a lovely Spanish tapas course to its business passengers, featuring classics such as manchego cheese, quince paste and Iberian jamon, according to The Points Guy.

The economy cabin’s 168 seats also feel top-class, with seats that comfortably recline up to 10 cm.

Plus, you can watch the latest film on an individual 12-inch, 4K resolution screen that’s integrated into each seatback.

Gone are the days of relying on the airline’s cheap wired earphones: whether you’re travelling business or economy class, you can connect your own Bluetooth headset.

You can also charge as you fly, with enhanced USB Type-A and Type-C charging points in both cabins. Likewise, seat tables have been thoughtfully positioned to make it easy to use your electronic device, and you can stay connected to your loved ones by accessing complimentary WiFi in all classes.

The ‘XLR’ part of the plane’s name stands for ‘extra-long range’ - and that’s for good reason: the narrow body and configuration means that it boasts a range of up to 7,500