American Airlines is expecting its new Airbus A321XLRs to enter service in the near future. Although we still have some waiting time for these, we have a lot of information and, in my opinion, a cool aircraft and product to look forward to.
This article will encompass the latest info we have on American’s XLRs, including the interiors, delivery delays, transcon/transatlantic operations, and more.
Inside American’s A321XLRs
The XLRs will come with 20 Flagship Suite seats in a 1-1 configuration. This is a similar class of service to the new Flagship Suites on the new Boeing 787-9s (78P) introduced earlier this summer, but this aircraft will utilize a different seat in a different configuration. While the new Boeing 787-9s are equipped with the Adient Ascent seats (also coming to United’s new Polaris seats), the XLRs will use the Collins Aerospace Aurora seats, which come in a herringbone configuration.
The Collins Aurora seat provides 78 inches of bed length and maximized seat width. American Airlines chose to include the door in its order, bringing an ample amount of privacy.
Notably, the seats are at an angle greater than 45 degrees, meaning you are facing more towards the aisle than the front of the plane, which will bring some challenges in certification. Earlier this year, American looked for FAA guidance for testing these seats.
The Flagship Suites will not come with a premium bulkhead option, like the new Boeing 787-9s do. Instead, the Collins Aurora configuration will be able to accommodate both a full and half cart for extra catering, which was specifically requested by airlines.
However, the XLRs are still tighter than a traditional widebody, which has prompted American to look for areas in which it could cut service. In May, the airline began cutting bread and butter service in economy and premium economy as a trial.
Meanwhile, the XLRs will feature the Recaro R5 seats in premium economy. This is also a slightly different product from the ones seen on the Boeing 787-9P.
Premium economy will come in a 2-2 configuration with 12 seats, with a comfort level presumably similar to domestic first class.
Headrest wings will provide a bit of additional privacy.
What’s Next?
American Airlines has taken deliveries of the XLR, but they went straight into storage, still in Europe.
Reports indicated that the latest delays were due to a supply chain issue that has resulted in a shortage of seats. Once the supply chain issues are resolved, then American will be able to formally take the XLR into the United States and begin service.
Indeed, aviation watchdog JonNYC shared back in July that the XLRs did not have any seats inside when they were “delivered”.
However, American is still making progress. Last week, the airline began flying empty Airbus A321neos from Philadelphia to Edinburgh in order to train check airmen. As they currently don’t have a regularly scheduled transatlantic flight on the Airbus A320 family, these pilots, upon certification on these routes, will be the ones to train and certify other American pilots.
The airline is operating 20 of these training flights. N471AN has been extensively used so far this week:
In the meantime, American is looking to open an A321XLR base at JFK. Although we’re certain that the XLRs will be used for transcontinental routes currently served by the A321Ts, this JFK base proves the transatlantic mission for the aircraft:
A lot remains to be finalized, and the base is expected to expand over time. Still though, I think it’s exciting to finally see all of this come together.
JonNYC has flagged that the XLRs could enter service in mid-December, but this is obviously subject to change. I’d say that’ll be the best-case scenario, and a lot can change between now and then.
That said, American has confirmed that the aircraft will begin service on JFK-based transcons first. This means that no matter when it is, the inaugural will very likely be a JFK-LAX flight.
Other XLR Operations, Challenges
Flying across the Atlantic on a narrowbody will certainly be a different experience. However, the experience will no doubt be a lot more premium, especially on thin routes that currently don’t see direct service but could see an XLR flight in the future.
In addition to transatlantic service out of New York, Philadelphia is also expected to see XLR service. We’ve also seen Charlotte, Chicago, and Miami thrown around as possible contenders for the aircraft.
In the meantime, American Airlines is going to take the A321Ts, which currently operate the premium transcons, out of service and reconfigure them to the standard domestic interior, despite the XLRs having faced delays. The airline will operate Boeing 777s in its place.
The airline still needs a premium product to compete in the transcon market while they wait for the XLRs, and the 777-200ERs will offer business and premium economy class to make up for the A321Ts getting removed from the routes. This process will begin on 5 October 2025 with a phase-in approach.
Bottom Line
American’s A321XLRs were originally scheduled to be delivered with eight beginning in 2023, 22 in 2024, and 20 more in 2025. Although the delays are clear as day here, I’m just excited to finally see them in service. Hopefully the December rumor is true, and that’ll be the best-case scenario. Even if we do see delays, I don’t expect them to take much longer.
Yes, the cabin will probably feel cramped compared to a widebody, and the service might take a hit with bread and butter service getting cut. But, at least for the transcons, they will replace a very tired A321T fleet in need of replacement. It’ll be interesting to hear passenger experience feedback on the transatlantic flights.
Featured image by American Airlines.
