Elegant, efficient and with a third fuel tank, the Airbus A321XLR is ready to debut long-distance routes that were previously unfeasible. Named “XLR” for its “Xtra Long Range” (extra long range, in free translation), the model made its inaugural flight with the Spanish airline Iberia on a route from Madrid to Boston, last Thursday (14).
With capacity for 182 passengers the A321XLR is the longest-range single-aisle commercial aircraft in the world, capable of flying up to 4,700 nautical miles (just over 8,700 kilometers).
For comparison, the distance between New York and Istanbul is approximately 8,000 km. Furthermore, Airbus claims that the aircraft consumes 30% less fuel per seat compared to previous generation models.
This range in a single-aisle plane — that is, smaller than commercial aircraft that are typically used on transatlantic ships, such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with a capacity of up to 250 passengers — makes it possible to create routes and frequencies that were previously not viable. with larger, less economical aircraft.
One example is the new routes planned by Aer Lingus, which will connect Dublin, Ireland, to Nashville and Indianapolis, in the United States, starting next year with the A321XLR.
Aviation journalist Miquel Ros invited by Iberia to see the aircraft, told CNN Travel that the cabin offers “a good balance between known space limitations and the need for efficiency.”
“The business class seats are a little narrower than those on the company’s twin-aisle planes, but they still provide a differentiated premium experience and the possibility of sleeping in a horizontal position,” he explained.
“Economy class has space between seats similar to that of larger planes and has the same in-flight entertainment system.”
Ros also highlighted the presence of two modern galleys (onboard kitchens), which should alleviate the concerns of those who fear the impacts of the smaller cabin space.
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Source: CNN Brasil
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