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

TEKEVER acquires Edinburgh-based Flowcopter
FIA 2026
TEKEVER acquires Edinburgh-based Flowcopter
The move is designed to expand TEKEVER's autonomous capabilities with advanced propulsion technology.
Global aircraft order backlog tops 17,000 for the first time as demand outpaces production
Boeing 737 factory in Renton
Global aircraft order backlog tops 17,000 for the first time as demand outpaces production
New ADS figures show the global commercial aircraft backlog reached a record 17,037 jets in July, with strong airline demand continuing to outstrip manufacturers' delivery capacity.
Aerospace

1 Sep 2026

NATS launches nationwide search for future air traffic controllers
Heathrow Tower.
NATS launches nationwide search for future air traffic controllers
One in four jobseekers have never been encouraged to consider air traffic control as a career, according to new research released as NATS reopens applications for trainee controllers.
Aerospace Member News

1 Sep 2026

TEKEVER acquires Edinburgh-based Flowcopter
FIA 2026
TEKEVER acquires Edinburgh-based Flowcopter
The move is designed to expand TEKEVER's autonomous capabilities with advanced propulsion technology.
Royal Navy monitors Russian warships and shadow fleet activity as UK surveillance rises 25%
HMS St Albans monitoring Admiral Levchenko
Royal Navy monitors Russian warships and shadow fleet activity as UK surveillance rises 25%
Three Royal Navy vessels and a Merlin helicopter tracked Russian warships and sanctioned cargo ships through the North Sea and English Channel as monitoring activity around UK waters continues to increase.
Defence

1 Sep 2026

Donite Plastics appoints Des Hassett as General Manager
Des Hassett
Donite Plastics appoints Des Hassett as General Manager
Experienced manufacturing professional Des Hassett, has been appointed General Manager for Donite Plastics, based at their Saintfield facility in County Down, Northern Ireland, to lead operations and enhance productivity.
Teledyne passes 1,000 sensors in orbit with NASA Roman Telescope launch
The infrared focal plane with H4RG-10 detector
Teledyne passes 1,000 sensors in orbit with NASA Roman Telescope launch
The launch of NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope marks a major milestone for Teledyne, whose detector technology will enable the mission to investigate dark energy, hunt for exoplanets and survey billions of galaxies.
Member News Space

1 Sep 2026

ADS cyclists battle crashes, climbs and forest fires to raise over £5,000
ADS Charity Cycle
ADS cyclists battle crashes, climbs and forest fires to raise over £5,000
Industry riders covered 334 miles from Belfast to Bristol in support of Combat Stress, O2e and Air Ambulance Northern Ireland.
Scottish space tech to power self-consuming rocket engine
Alpha Impulsion
Scottish space tech to power self-consuming rocket engine
Aurora Avionics is to supply crucial electronic systems that will deliver key electrical power functions for a pioneering new rocket engine, that aims to cut propulsion costs and support next-generation spacecraft.
Space

27 Aug 2026

TEKEVER acquires Edinburgh-based Flowcopter
FIA 2026
TEKEVER acquires Edinburgh-based Flowcopter
The move is designed to expand TEKEVER's autonomous capabilities with advanced propulsion technology.
Metropolitan Police Force expands its fleet of crime-fighting e-bikes
Met Sur-Ron eBikes at New Scotland Yard
Metropolitan Police Force expands its fleet of crime-fighting e-bikes
As it continues to address the challenge posed by criminals using e-bikes and mopeds to commit crime and evade the law, the Metropolitan Police Force has substantially increased its own fleet of Sur-Ron e-bikes, to tackle the perpetrators.
Security

31 Aug 2026

ADS cyclists battle crashes, climbs and forest fires to raise over £5,000
ADS Charity Cycle
ADS cyclists battle crashes, climbs and forest fires to raise over £5,000
Industry riders covered 334 miles from Belfast to Bristol in support of Combat Stress, O2e and Air Ambulance Northern Ireland.