On November 14th, Iberia’s first A321XLR entered commercial service, flying from Madrid to Boston. The A321XLR is equipped with the new Airspace cabin and offers two classes, Business and Economy, with a total of 182 seats.
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With the launch of a new aircraft, Iberia is strengthening its long-haul fleet, with a special focus on America. The first destinations to which the XLR are Boston and Washington DC.
Iberia will add 7 additional A321XLRs to its fleet in the coming months, which will make it possible to incorporate new long-haul destinations into its network and will allow it to increase capacity in the cities it currently serves.
Since it was delivered to Iberia on 30 October, this aircraft has been making European flights to Paris and Stockholm, as part of the usual preparation of each new aircraft before starting long-haul flights.
Iberia’s A321XLR offers an Xtra Long Range of up to 4,000 nautical miles (7,500 kilometres), 15% more than the A321LR (Long Range). This aircraft introduces structural, aerodynamic and software improvements, and features an integrated central fuel tank, allowing for extended range. It is powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines.
The Business cabin features 14 individual seats, each next to a window and with direct access to the aisle. These full-flat seats can be turned into beds and feature a wide leather headrest, compartments for personal items and a structure designed to provide comfort and privacy.
Each Business Class seat includes an individual 18.5-inch screen with 4K resolution, offering a crystal-clear image and enhanced tones in dark mode. For added convenience, each seat has its own lighting system, which can be independently regulated to set the light to the desired ambiance. Each seat also has its own backlit number during night mode to make it easier to find.
The Economy cabin features 168 seats of the RECARO-made CL3810 model, with a unit weight of almost 2 kilograms less than its predecessor. The seats offer a recline of up to four inches for greater comfort and are equipped with six-way adjustable headrests and two additional pockets to store personal items. An individual 12-inch screen with 4K resolution is integrated into each seat back.
All cabins on the new A321XLR allow customers to connect their own Bluetooth headsets and feature enhanced USB Type-A and Type-C charging ports. In addition, seat tables are designed to allow passengers to conveniently place and use their electronic devices during the flight. Like the rest of the long-haul fleet, the A321XLR offers connectivity so that customers can access complimentary WiFi for messaging throughout the flight.
The XL overhead compartments are more spacious, with up to 60% more capacity for hand luggage. The cabin also features 6 different cabin lighting modes and a new welcome panel at the entrance to the aircraft.
