General Atomics

Aer Lingus receives its first Airbus A321XLR aircraft

Ireland’s national carrier Aer Lingus recently received its first of six A321XLR aircraft, becoming the second in the world to operate the A321XLR as well as the second in the International Airlines Group (IAG).



Above: The first A321XLR for Aer Lingus taking off from Airbus Hamburg.
©Airbus


Powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines, the aircraft took off from the Airbus production site in Hamburg, Germany, on 18 December to Aer Lingus’ home base at Dublin airport, Ireland.

The Aer Lingus A321XLR is configured with 184 seats in a two-class layout featuring 16 full-flat Business Class and 168 Economy Class seats. .

The aircraft will enable Aer Lingus to operate new routes beyond the US East Coast and Canada, with destinations including Nashville and Indianapolis.

The A321XLR is the next evolutionary step of the A320neo Family, delivering an extra long range of up to 4,700 nautical miles, some 15% more range than the A321LR, with lower fuel burn per seat, NOx emissions and noise. So far, Airbus has secured more than 500 orders for the type.

As with all Airbus aircraft, the A321XLR aircraft is already able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus is targeting to have its aircraft up to 100% SAF capable by 2030.

Related

UK SMEs given support to commercialise proven solutions
Connected Places Catapult
UK SMEs given support to commercialise proven solutions
A new programme of tailored support is set to help UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with proven transport and construction solutions, to commercialise at scale.
Aerospace Security

3 Aug 2026

Gatwick faces two-day fuel shortage as airlines contend with higher costs
Air China London Gatwick
Gatwick faces two-day fuel shortage as airlines contend with higher costs
Gatwick Airport has warned airlines of a temporary jet fuel shortage caused by a technical fault. Long-haul flights are most likely to face operational challenges.
Aerospace Most Read

3 Aug 2026

Eaton opens UK aerospace additive manufacturing centre
Eaton facility, Wimborne.
Eaton opens UK aerospace additive manufacturing centre
The new facility will deliver production-ready capabilities to support localised production-scale additive manufacturing in Europe for the aerospace and defence sectors.
First new homes delivered for British armed forces in Cyprus
Homes for British Armed Force personnel, at Dhekelia Station in Cyprus
First new homes delivered for British armed forces in Cyprus
The first phase of new homes for armed forces personnel and their families has been delivered under major programme in Cyprus.
Defence

3 Aug 2026

Why the UK’s new Brontanax CCA has to use American engines
Brontanax BAE Systems
Why the UK’s new Brontanax CCA has to use American engines
BAE may now design its Brontanax loyal wingman drone with US engines after Rolls-Royce's options were deemed too expensive.
Defence Most Read

3 Aug 2026

Eaton opens UK aerospace additive manufacturing centre
Eaton facility, Wimborne.
Eaton opens UK aerospace additive manufacturing centre
The new facility will deliver production-ready capabilities to support localised production-scale additive manufacturing in Europe for the aerospace and defence sectors.
AccelerComm underpins Eclipse Space’s 5G physical layer for satellite constellations
UK From Space-Telecom
AccelerComm underpins Eclipse Space’s 5G physical layer for satellite constellations
Flight-proven 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) tech from Southampton based AccelerComm, is supporting a scalable direct-to-device and broadband architecture from Starlink veterans behind Eclipse Space.
Member News Space

31 Jul 2026

ALL.SPACE releases Hydra MAX wideband platform for multi-orbit ops
Hydra on Defender
ALL.SPACE releases Hydra MAX wideband platform for multi-orbit ops
ALL.SPACE has released Hydra MAX, designed to unlock next-generation wideband Ka networks with multi-orbit connectivity.
Defence Space

28 Jul 2026

Wiltshire schoolchildren take second place in international rocketry final
Abbeyfield School 2nd Place
Wiltshire schoolchildren take second place in international rocketry final
Schoolchildren from Chippenham achieved second place at the International Youth Rocketry Challenge during the Farnborough International Airshow.
Aerospace Defence Events Security ...

27 Jul 2026

UK SMEs given support to commercialise proven solutions
Connected Places Catapult
UK SMEs given support to commercialise proven solutions
A new programme of tailored support is set to help UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with proven transport and construction solutions, to commercialise at scale.
Aerospace Security

3 Aug 2026

QinetiQ equips young people with cyber skills
CyberFirst Advanced at Lancaster University
QinetiQ equips young people with cyber skills
Hundreds of youngsters have been given the opportunity to equip themselves with real-world cyber skills.
Why drones have become a mainstream security challenge for airports across the UK
Ministry of defence drone
Why drones have become a mainstream security challenge for airports across the UK
Latest Dedrone report reveals why drone incidents are a mainstream security challenge for airports across the UK
Aerospace Security

29 Jul 2026