The Airbus A321XLR is an extra-long-range development of the Airbus A321neo. It combines the A321neo airframe and engine choices with a permanent rear centre fuel tank, a 101-tonne maximum take-off weight, strengthened landing gear and revised high-lift and aircraft systems. Airbus publishes a maximum range of 4,700 nautical miles, enabling flights of up to about 11 hours in suitable payload and operating conditions.[1]Airbus launches longest range single-aisle airliner: the A321XLRAirbus · airbus.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details[2]Join us on our A321XLR journeyAirbus · airbus.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details
Development
Airbus launched the A321XLR at the Paris Air Show on 17 June 2019 as the next range extension beyond the A321LR. The programme was designed to retain extensive A321neo commonality while giving airlines more payload-range capability on routes too thin for a larger widebody. The published design range was 4,700 nautical miles, about 15 per cent more than the A321LR.[1]Airbus launches longest range single-aisle airliner: the A321XLRAirbus · airbus.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details
The launch design combined three principal changes: a permanent rear centre tank (RCT), an increased maximum take-off weight of 101 tonnes and an optimised trailing-edge flap arrangement. Airbus also planned an optional forward additional centre tank for missions requiring more fuel.[1]Airbus launches longest range single-aisle airliner: the A321XLRAirbus · airbus.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details[3]A321 aircraft characteristics, airport and maintenance planningAirbus · aircraft.airbus.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details
The first flight-test aircraft, MSN 11000, made the type's maiden flight from Hamburg on 15 June 2022. Airbus used three aircraft in the main certification campaign, assigning work across aircraft performance, systems, powerplants and cabin testing.[4]Airbus A321XLR takes off for the first timeAirbus · airbus.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details[5]Airbus A321XLR with Pratt & Whitney engine receives EASA type certificationAirbus · airbus.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details
Design
The A321XLR retains the A321neo's 44.51-metre fuselage, 35.80-metre wingspan, common flight deck and choice of CFM International LEAP-1A or Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM engines. Its changes are nevertheless substantial enough that EASA treated the project as a major significant change to the A321neo rather than simply an optional fuel fit.[6]EASA issues Type Certificate to Airbus A321XLREuropean Union Aviation Safety Agency · easa.europa.eu · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details[7]Type Certificate Data Sheet EASA.A.064European Union Aviation Safety Agency · easa.europa.eu · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details
Rear centre tank
The permanent RCT is integrated into the lower centre fuselage and holds 12,900 litres of fuel. It carries more fuel than multiple removable A321LR additional centre tanks while using less cargo-hold volume. The XLR can also be fitted with a forward additional centre tank.[1]Airbus launches longest range single-aisle airliner: the A321XLRAirbus · airbus.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details[3]A321 aircraft characteristics, airport and maintenance planningAirbus · aircraft.airbus.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details
Because the conformal tank sits within the fuselage under occupied areas, its certification raised crashworthiness, fire-safety and evacuation questions not fully covered by the existing large-aircraft rules. EASA issued special condition SC-E25.963-01, requiring Airbus to demonstrate tank robustness, protection against landing-gear or runway-debris damage, and a limited leakage hazard if the tank were compromised.[6]EASA issues Type Certificate to Airbus A321XLREuropean Union Aviation Safety Agency · easa.europa.eu · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details[8]Special Condition SC-E25.963-01: conformal rear centre tank crashworthinessEuropean Union Aviation Safety Agency · easa.europa.eu · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details
Airbus incorporated a fire-retardant fibre-metal-laminate lower shell and a larger reinforced belly fairing around the new centre-fuselage structure. These protections are part of the certified design and distinguish the RCT from an ordinary removable cargo-hold tank.[9]A321XLR approaching the finish line for certification and service entryAirbus · airbus.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details
Airframe and systems changes
The 101-tonne weight required uprated landing gear, wheels and brakes. A new single-slotted inboard flap and revised flight-control functions preserve take-off and handling performance. The aircraft also has a dedicated fuel system, changes to water and waste capacity, and enhanced cabin heating intended for longer sectors.[1]Airbus launches longest range single-aisle airliner: the A321XLRAirbus · airbus.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details[9]A321XLR approaching the finish line for certification and service entryAirbus · airbus.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details
The XLR uses the A321neo Airbus Cabin Flex exit arrangement. Up to 244 seats can be certified, but long-range operators often choose much lower densities to provide premium cabins, larger galleys, crew-rest provisions or additional lavatories. Seating capacity must therefore be sourced for each operator rather than inferred from the airframe limit.
Certification
EASA certified the CFM-powered A321-253NY in July 2024. The amended type-certificate entry is dated 18 July, while EASA publicly announced the award on 19 July. The FAA added the CFM-powered model to its certificate on 2 October 2024.[6]EASA issues Type Certificate to Airbus A321XLREuropean Union Aviation Safety Agency · easa.europa.eu · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details[7]Type Certificate Data Sheet EASA.A.064European Union Aviation Safety Agency · easa.europa.eu · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details[10]A320 Family facts and figures, November 2025Airbus · airbus.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details
The Pratt & Whitney-powered A321-271NY received EASA approval on 20 February 2025, announced by Airbus and EASA the following day; the FAA amendment followed on 21 February. Certification of the second engine option allowed the first GTF-powered customer aircraft to enter service in 2025.[5]Airbus A321XLR with Pratt & Whitney engine receives EASA type certificationAirbus · airbus.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details[7]Type Certificate Data Sheet EASA.A.064European Union Aviation Safety Agency · easa.europa.eu · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details[10]A320 Family facts and figures, November 2025Airbus · airbus.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details
| Certified model | Engine family | EASA certification |
|---|---|---|
| A321-253NY | CFM International LEAP-1A | 18 July 2024 |
| A321-271NY | Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM | 20 February 2025 |
The NY suffix identifies the XLR models in EASA's A321 type-certificate data sheet. It should not be confused with the NX suffix used by non-XLR Airbus Cabin Flex A321neos.[7]Type Certificate Data Sheet EASA.A.064European Union Aviation Safety Agency · easa.europa.eu · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details
Entry into service
Airbus delivered the first A321XLR to Iberia at Hamburg on 30 October 2024. Airbus said the CFM-powered aircraft would initially operate European familiarisation sectors before its planned first transatlantic mission between Madrid and Boston later in November.[11]Airbus delivers first A321XLR to IberiaAirbus · aircraft.airbus.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details
Wizz Air accepted the first Pratt & Whitney-powered A321XLR on 20 May 2025. Its 239-seat single-class layout contrasted with lower-density network-airline configurations and demonstrated that XLR certification does not prescribe a long-haul cabin style.[12]Airbus delivers first Pratt & Whitney powered A321XLR to Wizz AirAirbus · airbus.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details
Qantas received its first A321XLR on 30 June 2025 with 20 business-class and 177 economy seats. Saudia became the first operator in the Middle East and Africa in May 2026 with 24 lie-flat business-class seats and 120 economy seats.[13]Qantas takes delivery of its first Airbus A321XLRAirbus · airbus.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details[14]Saudia becomes first Middle East and Africa operator of the Airbus A321XLRAirbus · airbus.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details
These milestones are not a complete current-operator list. Fleet counts and route assignments change and should be recorded on dated airline fleet pages rather than inferred from order announcements.
Performance and cabin
| Characteristic | Published value |
|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
| Typical seating | 180–220 |
| Maximum certified seating | 244 |
| Length | 44.51 m |
| Wingspan | 35.80 m |
| Height | 11.76 m |
| Maximum take-off weight | 101 tonnes |
| Rear centre tank capacity | 12,900 litres |
| Maximum range | 4,700 nmi (8,700 km) |
| Maximum flight time marketed by Airbus | Up to 11 hours |
| Engines | CFM LEAP-1A or Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM |
The maximum range is a manufacturer planning figure. Payload, seat count, optional tank fit, winds, reserves, alternates, runway performance and engine choice determine whether a particular route is practical. The XLR's main operational distinction is improved payload-range and cargo-volume efficiency relative to an A321LR with several removable additional centre tanks.[1]Airbus launches longest range single-aisle airliner: the A321XLRAirbus · airbus.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details[3]A321 aircraft characteristics, airport and maintenance planningAirbus · aircraft.airbus.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details
Airbus offers the Airspace cabin with larger overhead bins and lighting options, but seats, entertainment, lavatories, galleys and premium products remain customer choices. Wizz Air's 239-seat aircraft and Saudia's 144-seat configuration illustrate the usable design range.[12]Airbus delivers first Pratt & Whitney powered A321XLR to Wizz AirAirbus · airbus.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details[14]Saudia becomes first Middle East and Africa operator of the Airbus A321XLRAirbus · airbus.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details
Orders and production
Airbus reported more than 500 A321XLR orders by the time of Pratt & Whitney certification in February 2025 and continued to use that rounded threshold in May 2025. Because Airbus order classifications can change through conversions, cancellations and undisclosed-customer reallocations, an exact current total should be taken from a dated Airbus orders-and-deliveries report rather than accumulated from press releases.[5]Airbus A321XLR with Pratt & Whitney engine receives EASA type certificationAirbus · airbus.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details[12]Airbus delivers first Pratt & Whitney powered A321XLR to Wizz AirAirbus · airbus.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details
The XLR is assembled within the A320-family production system, with early deliveries completed at Hamburg. Its new centre-fuselage section, tank, systems and certification-controlled protections mean an ordinary A321neo cannot be described as an XLR merely because it carries additional fuel tanks.
Comparison with A321LR
| Feature | A321LR | A321XLR |
|---|---|---|
| Certified basis | A321neo ACF / NX models | Separate NY models |
| Fuel arrangement | Up to three removable additional centre tanks | Permanent 12,900-litre RCT; optional forward ACT |
| Maximum take-off weight | 97 tonnes | 101 tonnes |
| Published maximum range | 4,000 nmi | 4,700 nmi |
| EASA certification | ACF/NX basis from 2018 | CFM in 2024; PW in 2025 |
Both are A321neo developments, but their fuel architecture, certified model suffixes and maximum weights are distinct. Fleet databases should preserve the exact model rather than grouping every long-range A321 under a single label.[1]Airbus launches longest range single-aisle airliner: the A321XLRAirbus · airbus.com · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details[7]Type Certificate Data Sheet EASA.A.064European Union Aviation Safety Agency · easa.europa.eu · Accessed 2026-08-29Open source details
Related pages
Sources
Airbus launches longest-range single-aisle airliner: the A321XLR — Airbus
EASA issues type certificate to Airbus A321XLR — European Union Aviation Safety Agency
EASA Type Certificate Data Sheet A.064 — European Union Aviation Safety Agency
A321 aircraft characteristics — Airbus