Airbus’ first A321XLR (Xtra Long Range) aircraft took flight for the first time in Hamburg today. The aircraft, MSN 11000, departed Hamburg-Finkenwerder Airport at 11:05 CEST for a test flight that lasted approximately four hours and 35 minutes.
On Thursday (June 15, 2022), Airbus announced the successful completion of their inaugural Airbus A321XLR (Xtra Long Range) test flight from Hamburg today. The aircraft, MSN 11000, took off from Hamburg-Finkerwerder Airport at 11:05 CEST for a test flight that lasted approximately four hours and 35 minutes. The crew included experimental test pilots Thierry Diez and Gabriel Diaz de Villages Giron, along with test engineers Frank Hohmeister, Philippe Pupin and Mehdi Zeddoun. During the test flight, the team tested the aircraft’s flight controls, engines and main systems, as well as high and low speed flight envelope protections. The aircraft is expected to enter into passenger revenue service in 2024.
In today’s announcment, Airbus’ Executive Vice President – Programmes and Services, Phillipe Muhn, said,
“This is a major milestone for the A320 Family and its customers worldwide. With the A321XLR coming into service, airlines will be able to offer long-haul comfort on a single aisle aircraft, thanks to its unique Airspace cabin. The A321XLR will open new routes with unbeatable economics and environmental performance.”
The new Airbus A321XLR is the next evolutionary step in the Airbus A320neo Family, meeting market requirements for increased range and payload, while allowing airlines to introduce economically viable services on longer routes, compared to any available aircraft model. The aircraft offers a range of up to 4,700 nm (8,700 km), along with a 30 percent reduction in fuel consumption per seat versus previous generation aircraft. The A321XLR also delivers reduced NOx emissions and a smaller noise footprint. At the end of May 2022, the Airbus A320neo Family had accumulated over 8,000 orders from more than 130 customers worldwide. The A321XLR model has received more than 500 orders from over 20 customers.
Source: Airbus