Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • Aer Lingus receives its first Airbus A321XLR aircraft

Aerospace

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. .

Advertisement
ODU RT

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.

Advertisement
ODU RT

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.

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
IFS launches IFS Zero

Aerospace Defence

IFS launches IFS Zero

10 June 2026

IFS has launched IFS Zero, an agentic AI Emissions Operating System designed for asset-intensive industries, such as aerospace and defence, where organisations face pressure to improve emissions reporting and supply chain transparency, with Scope 3 compliance now a contractual requirement.

Smith Detection

Aerospace Security

Smith Detection's SDX 10080 SCT receives UK DfT approval

10 June 2026

Smiths Detection announced today that its SDX 10080 SCT has received UK Department for Transport (DfT) approval for deployment across UK airports and cargo operators for hold baggage and air cargo screening.

Aston University secures £3.9m to boost aerospace and cybersecurity skills

Aerospace Security

Aston University secures £3.9m to boost aerospace and cybersecurity skills

10 June 2026

Aston University has secured almost £4 million in new funding to improve the UK’s aerospace engineering and cybersecurity skills.

Marshall Aerospace completes initial flight model for Horizon Aircraft’s Cavorite X7

Aerospace

Marshall Aerospace completes initial flight model for Horizon Aircraft’s Cavorite X7

10 June 2026

Marshall Aerospace has successfully completed a flight dynamics and control model to support Horizon Aircraft’s Cavorite X7, a revolutionary dual-use hybrid-electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft currently in prototype development.

Advertisement
ODU RT
NATS invests in carbon removals with CUR8

Aerospace

NATS invests in carbon removals with CUR8

9 June 2026

NATS has committed £500k to carbon removals through carbon removals intelligence provider CUR8, contributing to an initiative led by the UK Sustainable Aviation coalition, to stimulate the carbon removals market as part of a £2 million Advance Market Signal.

HutanBio partners with Wakud on scalable SAF feedstocks

Aerospace

HutanBio partners with Wakud on scalable SAF feedstocks

9 June 2026

Cambridge biotechnology company HutanBio, which is developing algae-derived oils for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), has signed its first commercial offtake Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Oman's Wakud International, as the aviation industry searches for new feedstock sources capable of supporting future SAF demand.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
General Atomics LB