In the family A320 neoThen there was the Airbus A321neo, which redefined the standards of the Airbus A321, offering fuel savings of 25 %. Then came the A321LR, with its additional 15 % range, enabling flights between Paris and Montréal or the Persian Gulf, for example, with smaller aircraft than those traditionally used for long-haul routes, such as the Boeing B777 or Airbus A350.
At the Paris Air Show, Airbus presented a new development with its A321 XLR - for Xtra Long Range - a single-aisle aircraft that offers even greater range thanks to the addition of a central rear fuel tank, but with a smaller fuel consumption per seat of 30 % less than previous models.
Capable of flying over a distance of 8,700 kmThe A321 XLR opens up new horizons for traditional airlines and low-cost operators alike when it comes to opening up new long-haul routes. With its lower passenger volumes, the A321XLR will be able to help the development and profitability of intercontinental flights from secondary cities such as Toulouse-Dubai, Nice- Paris and Paris-Charles de Gaulle.BostonBarcelona-Chicago or Miami-Buenos Aires.
READ ALSO : "Aircraft of the future: faster, more sustainable
Among the first to order the A321XLR, the Lebanese airline Middle East Airlines intends to strengthen its network in Africa and Asia, while Australia's Qantas and its low-cost subsidiary Jet Star are counting on the aircraft to launch new routes to China and Japan.
Expected in 2023, the A321XLR puts Airbus ahead of its competitor Boeing, which was planning to launch a medium-capacity long-haul aircraft by 2025or even later. An American aircraft manufacturer already embroiled in problems with its B737 MAX which could miss out on a very promising market.
