American Airlines has ordered 50 of the new Airbus
long-range narrowbody plane, the A321XLR. Deliveries are slated to begin in
2023 and continue through 2025.
"It creates an opportunity for us to think about
utilization in American's vast network on things we do today and potentially
things that we want to do," American president Robert Isom said on a
videocast Wednesday.
Airbus unveiled the 321XLR (extralong-range) Monday at the Paris
Air Show. Airbus said the plane will have a maximum range of 4,700 nautical
miles, 15% more than the A321LR, which entered service last year. By
comparison, Boeing's longest range like-sized aircraft, the grounded 737 Max 8
and Max 9, have a maximum range of 3,550 nautical miles.
Airbus says the greater range of the A321XLR will allow
airlines to use it for flights from the U.S. East Coast to medium-size European
cities. Such routes would likely not have the demand to support operations on
larger twin-aisle aircraft.
Isom cited Philadelphia-Basel as an example of a route for
which American could use the A321XLR. He said that for transatlantic flying,
the plane could be configured with business and premium-economy classes.
American is already the largest Airbus operator in the
world, with 422 Airbus aircraft in its fleet.
Wednesday's purchase agreement includes the conversion of 30
of American's existing A321neo orders to A321XLRs as well as orders of an
additional 20 A321XLRs.
The new aircraft has 90% commonality with the A321neo.
Differences include a redesigned rear fuel tank with more volume as well as
modified landing gear that can handle an increased maximum takeoff weight.
Private equity firm Indigo Partners, which has stakes in four low-cost airlines, also ordered 50
A321XLRs on Wednesday. Indigo will allot 20 of the planes to Hungarian carrier Wizz Air, 18 to Frontier Airlines
and 12 to Chilean carrier JetSmart, Airbus said.