Saudia has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR, becoming one of the early operators of Airbus’ new long-range narrowbody aircraft.
The aircraft, registered HZ-ASBA, is the first of 15 A321XLRs ordered by the Saudi carrier and is expected to enter commercial service in early June.
Saudia plans to deploy the aircraft on medium- and long-haul routes from Saudi Arabia to destinations in Europe, Africa and the Indian subcontinent, including Barcelona, Brussels, Milan, Rome, Dakar and the Maldives.
The A321XLR is Airbus’ latest long-range development of the A321neo family and offers a range of up to 4,700 nautical miles, allowing airlines to operate thinner long-haul routes with lower operating costs than widebody aircraft.
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Saudia configured the aircraft with 144 seats, including 24 business class seats and 120 seats in economy class. The layout is among the most premium configurations currently planned for the A321XLR.
The airline is also introducing a new business class product on the aircraft based on the Thompson Aero Seating VantageSOLO platform.
The seats convert into fully flat beds and provide direct aisle access for all passengers, a configuration increasingly adopted by airlines operating long-range narrowbody aircraft.
The arrival of the A321XLR also expands Saudia’s use of narrowbody aircraft on longer international sectors, a market segment that has gained momentum as airlines seek to open routes that may not support larger twin-aisle jets year-round.
Airbus launched the A321XLR as a successor to earlier long-range narrowbody concepts such as the Boeing 757 on transatlantic and medium-density intercontinental routes.
The aircraft has accumulated aorund 500 orders worldwide and is expected to play a growing role in long-haul operations, particularly among airlines looking to increase frequency or access secondary international destinations.
