MADRID- Iberia (IB), a subsidiary of IAG, will introduce the new Airbus A321XLR aircraft, poised to revolutionize the aviation industry with enhanced autonomy and efficiency.
The Spanish carrier will deploy these aircraft on new routes connecting Spain to the United States, potentially including Washington D.C. or Boston, pending operational details.
Iberia will be the Launch Customer of A321XLR
Considered a game-changer in the airline industry, the A321XLR has been hailed by the newly appointed president as a vehicle for transforming business models.
Marco Sansavini, president of Iberia, affirmed its significance during the International Expansion Forum in Madrid.
With its narrow fuselage design, the A321XLR, crafted by Airbus, is tailored for long-haul travel, offering Iberia access to destinations such as Canada and the U.S. East Coast that were previously out of reach, as explained by Sansavini.
Potential XLR Routes
It was initially believed that Dublin (DUB) would offer deeper access into the USA compared to Spain, which seems to be proving true. However, according to translated reports, at least in the initial phase, the routes may be downgraded from widebody to narrowbody aircraft.
It remains uncertain whether there will be an increase in flight frequency or merely a reduction in seating capacity, reported Enilria.
For now, the introduction of the XLR seems to offer a less favorable transatlantic product, although there may be improvements in the front cabin compared to Iberia’s A330s.
Nevertheless, substituting a narrowbody for a widebody constitutes a downgrade if that’s the case. Passengers eagerly await the XLR’s deployment on more fascinating transatlantic missions.
Transatlantic Flights
According to media reports, Madrid (MAD) – Boston (BOS), which currently operates with A330s four times a week during the winter, will transition to the XLR. However, whether the flight frequency will increase to daily service is unclear.
Madrid (MAD) – Washington (IAD) is not scheduled but planned to operate this winter. If the XLR is deployed on this route, it would represent an upgrade compared to no service at all, as both United (UA) and Iberia plan to suspend flights during the winter.
There’s also uncertainty regarding whether the planes will operate from Barcelona (BCN), considering LEVEL currently operates under Iberia’s operating certificate. However, assuming MAD is the safer bet. LEVEL is also transitioning to its own operating certificate, reducing the likelihood of operations from BCN.
It’s possible that BOS will see a downgrade to the XLR while maintaining the same frequency, or it may operate daily with the A330 remaining on its existing schedule.
IAD might see additional winter service on days when BOS doesn’t operate, but this could be optimistic speculation. Hopefully, the XLR will be deployed on new routes by next summer, as expected.
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