en.Wedoany.com Reported - United Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR and unveiled the detailed layout of the aircraft, which features 150 seats and 32 premium seats, aiming to replace Boeing 757 aircraft in its fleet. The airline stated that with its longer range and higher fuel efficiency, this aircraft will open up new "long and thin" routes, thereby creating a market for premium products.
United Airlines has ordered 50 A321XLRs. Each aircraft features a three-cabin, four-class layout, including 20 Polaris lie-flat suites, 12 Premium Plus seats, 36 Economy Plus seats, and 82 economy seats. Due to space constraints on narrow-body aircraft, the Polaris seats are arranged in a herringbone pattern facing the aisle at a 49-degree angle to the window. The aircraft is equipped with Starlink Wi-Fi, offered as a complimentary service.
Compared to the Boeing 757-200 it replaces, which was configured with 16 Polaris seats, 42 Economy Plus seats, and 118 economy seats, with no Premium Plus product, United Airlines Senior Vice President Patrick Quayle stated that the 757 has high operating costs, while the A321XLR offers a longer range and significantly lower fuel consumption and maintenance costs.
The first A321XLR (registration N64321) departed from the Airbus Hamburg Finkenwerder facility on June 3 and landed at Tampa International Airport (TPA) after a ten-hour flight. This airport was chosen as the delivery location due to its facilities for installing Starlink Wi-Fi. United Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Nocella stated that the A321XLR's range capability opens up new opportunities for network development.
In terms of premium products, Polaris business class is the highest level of service on board. Passengers can enjoy priority check-in, baggage handling (up to two pieces), and access to exclusive Polaris lounges located at Chicago O'Hare, Houston Intercontinental, Los Angeles, and other airports. The seats are based on the Safran Optima seat and feature a 16-inch (40.6 cm) touchscreen entertainment system.
The Premium Plus seats, manufactured by Collins Aerospace, offer wider legroom, seats with a greater recline angle, 13-inch (33 cm) entertainment screens, and Saks Fifth Avenue blankets and pillows.
The A321XLR has a range of 4,700 nautical miles (8,700 kilometers), achieved through a Rear Center Tank (RCT) with a capacity of 3,400 gallons (12,900 liters). The aircraft features reinforced landing gear and a braking system, with a maximum takeoff weight higher than the standard A321neo. Compared to previous-generation aircraft, the A321XLR offers 30% lower fuel consumption per seat and a 50% reduction in noise footprint. Airbus calls it a "low-risk route pioneer."
Another airline, Air Canada, has also taken delivery of its first A321XLR and plans to operate 30 of them. The aircraft is configured with 14 lie-flat Signature Class seats and 168 economy seats, and is scheduled to operate several transatlantic routes from Montreal and Toronto, with destinations including Toulouse, Calgary, Berlin, Nantes, Vancouver, Lyon, Porto, and Manchester. Airbus stated that the aircraft will play a key role in network expansion and operational efficiency improvement.
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