American Airlines has finally set a debut date for its newest high-end heavy-lift aircraft.
Just before the holidays, the Fort Worth-based airline will launch service on its first Airbus A321XLR, a single-aisle aircraft that will feature the latest generation of flagship suites, along with true premium economy and the fuel efficiency required across the Atlantic Ocean.
American Airlines on Wednesday took delivery of the first XLR jets since it first ordered 50 of them in the late 2010s, arriving at the airline’s Texas headquarters from the Airbus plant in Hamburg, Germany.
The aircraft will officially enter service on December 18, flying non-stop from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Tickets are on sale now for the inaugural flight and for all flights operated by the aircraft until 11 February.
Seats appear to be in high demand; business class suites on the inaugural flight on December 18 were sold out when first checked on Thursday. A front-cabin award ticket on the second westbound flight on December 19 can be redeemed for 105,000 AAdvantage miles.
American Airlines will be the first U.S. airline to launch the A321XLR, which first entered the global market with Spain’s Iberia last November.
This would seriously elevate American’s high-end game—both domestically and, ultimately, on the international stage.
“Whether customers are traveling from coast to coast or across oceans, American’s newest aircraft exemplify our commitment to delivering a premium travel experience,” chief customer officer Heather Garboden said in a statement Thursday.
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Onboard American Airlines’ new Airbus A321XLR
American’s new XLR aircraft features 20 of the airline’s new flagship suites with sliding privacy doors – the same concept the airline debuted on its latest Boeing “787-9P” Dreamliner in June.
Behind these suites, travelers will find 12 premium economy recliners with winged headrests and cocktail trays reminiscent of domestic first-class seats.
These Premium Economy seats will complement the 123 seats in the main cabin.
Throughout, the cabin features a new color palette that first appeared on the 787-9P earlier this year – as seen in photos shared by the airline on Thursday. You’ll find light blue seat covers with brown leather trim in every cabin, and the airline’s logo is displayed more prominently.
As for the higher-end configurations on this narrow-body aircraft? American Airlines will deploy it on its most premium routes.
From the outset, XLR will operate top-tier transcontinental routes currently served by the United States’ retiring Airbus A321Ts. (We should note that unlike the A321T, these XLRs will no Featuring flagship first class, America’s cabin is sunset).
By next year, the airline expects to deploy the aircraft on international routes from Europe to South America. Last fall, American’s top network planner told me he expected the plane would open up new long-haul destinations that the airline couldn’t justify using its larger Boeing 777 or 787 Dreamliners for service.
bottom line
News of American Airlines delivering its first XLR aircraft comes on the same day the airline also announced more major plans for its fleet. The airline will revamp its largest long-haul workhorse, the Boeing 777-200ER, with new interiors, including the airline’s new flagship suite concept, executives revealed on Thursday.
At the same time, the airline also plans to update its larger 777-300ERs with new suites and cabin aesthetics.
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