The A321XLR has taken off for a ten-day international flight test campaign across the world. This exciting campaign will demonstrate the A321XLR’s technical reliability and maturity through varying climatic conditions and flight durations -- typical of what airlines might fly when the aircraft enters commercial service.
The “Extra Long Range” A321XLR will boast an unprecedented extra-long range of up to 4,700nm – 15% more than the A321LR while maintaining the same fuel efficiency.
The A321XLR is the next evolutionary step of the A320neo, in response to market demands for even more range and payload, creating more added value for the airlines. With this added range, airlines will be able to operate a lower-cost single-aisle aircraft on longer and less heavily travelled routes – many of which can now only be served by larger and less efficient wide-body aircraft. This will enable operators to open new world-wide routes such as India to Europe or China to Australia, as well as further extending the Airbus single-aisle jets portfolio non-stop reach on direct transatlantic flights between continental Europe and the Americas.
For airlines, commonality is key. The A321XLR has been designed to maximise overall commonality with the A321LR and the rest of the A320neo Family meaning flight crew can be certified to fly the aircraft without significant ‘conversation’ training. There are some changes, however, including a new permanent Rear Centre Tank (RCT) for more fuel volume; a modified landing gear for an increased maximum take-off weight of 101 metric tonnes; and an optimised wing trailing-edge flap configuration to preserve the same take-off performance and engine thrust requirements as today’s A321neo. The new optimised RCT holds more fuel than several optional Additional Centre Tanks did previously, while taking up less space in the cargo hold – thus freeing-up underfloor volume for additional cargo and baggage on long range routes.
The A321XLR has already completed a significant test flight across Europe, flying for more than 13 hours without stopping for fuel. Airbus conducted the flight as a part of its most recent long-range twin-jet development programme, which was formally unveiled at the 2019 Paris Air Show. The programme also evaluates flight control system evolutions, among other parameters. The aircraft made a circle flight across Europe in 13 h and 15 min, initially heading in the direction of the UK before turning around and passing through Oslo, Berlin, Prague, Rome, Sicily, and Sardinia before landing back in Toulouse.
Airbus’ single-aisle, long-range portfolio includes the A321neo (new engine option aka “NEO”) — which first flew in February 2016 — has a range of approximately 3,700 nautical miles. It’s also capable of flying transatlantic between Paris and New York in an all-Business Class configuration — but most airlines are using the jet for mid-haul routes. Airlines are still able to place orders for the jet. The A321LR (long-range) — which first flew in January 2018, has a range of approximately 4,000 nautical miles, and can fly from London to New Delhi non-stop. It’s in service with multiple airlines, including TAP Air Portugal, Aer Lingus, Kazakhstan’s flag carrier Air Astana, and Scandinavian Airlines. And finally, the A321XLR (extra long-range)— airlines including American Airlines, United, Qantas and Air Arabia are set to take the jet once it enters commercial service.
With Airbus betting on a future of efficient, long-range aircraft, the manufacturer continues to make assembly advancements amid strong demand. A brand new A321XLR equipment installation hangar just opened this month in Hamburg. “Airbus’ Hamburg site plays a significant role in the development and production of the A321XLR. “With our new state-of-the-art equipment installation hangar, we are now expanding our capacity to manufacture A321 fuselages and making an important contribution to supporting our ramp up. At the same time we are reaffirming the importance of Hamburg for Airbus,” said André Walter, Head of Airbus Commercial Aircraft Production in Germany, at the opening of the facility. “The design of the building reflects the latest standards in production and sustainability.”
In the new equipment installation hangar, with 9,600 m2 of production space, designated H259, all the components of the rear fuselages of the A321XLR aircraft – also built in Hamburg – will be installed and mounted. The hangar is equipped with a full range of state-of-the-art technologies for operations and manufacturing, such as automated logistics, fully digital systems, and test stations that can output the status of each fuselage section (both in terms of logistics and resources) at any time.
The almost 24-metre-long fuselage sections are equipped with all electrical and mechanical systems, as well as other elements such as windows, floor panels or external antennas, on an automated ‘pulse line’ consisting of eight stations. Each fuselage section is extensively tested directly after the installation of the systems. The fuselage sections are then transferred to the final assembly line in Hamburg.
Airbus reaffirmed that the stations in the new hangar were planned in close consultation with the employees to create both an efficient production flow and an ergonomically optimised and modern working environment. In addition, the interior design also focused on ensuring optimal conditions for cooperation between the employees in production and the supporting functions.
The structure was planned and built sustainably. A 3,000 m2 photovoltaic system on the roof supplies the hangar with electricity, and surpluses are used to power the site. The office block on the south side offers an excellent level of insulation thanks to extensive insulation of the ceiling and walls. A fully automatic control system for heating, ventilation and lighting complements the measures.
One of Europe’s largest airline groups, the International Airlines Group (IAG) has selected the A321XLR to expand its fleet of highly efficient single aisles with a firm order for 14 aircraft. Of these, eight are destined for Iberia and six for Aer Lingus. IAG, the parent company of major airlines also including British Airways, Level and Vueling, is one of Airbus’s largest customers and this agreement will take the overall order from the group to 530 aircraft.
Describing the jet, Willie Walsh, former IAG chief executive, said: “The A321XLR has the same unit cost as a widebody long-haul aircraft which will enable profitable network expansion. This will strengthen both Dublin and Madrid hubs providing new transatlantic routes and additional flexibility for connecting passengers. These aircraft will also bring further cost efficiencies and environmental benefits.”
The A321XLR currently has nearly 570 orders from 27 customers worldwide. Entry-into-service is planned for the second quarter of 2024.
The author is an aviation analyst. Twitter handle: @AlexInAir
