Airbus A321XLR

The Airbus A321XLR, unveiled in 2019 by Airbus SAS, represents the longest‑range single‑aisle aircraft ever built. Its development grew out of the A321neo program, targeting airlines that needed extra capacity on thin, long‑haul routes without the cost of wide‑body jets. After a successful launch at the 2019 Paris Air Show, the first flight took place in June 2022 and the type entered service with the Hungarian carrier Wizz Air in 2023. The XLR (Extra Long Range) stretches the A321neo's fuel capacity by adding a larger rear centre tank and structural reinforcements, granting a maximum range of up to 4,700 nautical miles (8,700 km) while retaining a typical seating layout of 180‑210 passengers. Advanced aerodynamics, including shark‑let wingtip devices and new high‑efficiency engines such as the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G‑JM, reduce fuel burn by about 15 percent compared with the previous generation. The aircraft’s ability to connect transatlantic city pairs and other distant markets using a narrow‑body platform reshapes network strategies, lowers operating costs, and supports sustainability goals. The A321XLR therefore holds a pivotal role in modern aviation, offering airlines unprecedented flexibility and passengers faster, more affordable long‑distance travel.