Airbus A321neo: High demand with 5,193 orders pending globally

AirAsia, based in Malaysia, follows with 367 aircraft orders. Wizz Air, the fourth-largest airline in Europe by seat capacity, has ordered 296 A321neo aircraft.

In North America, United Airlines has the largest outstanding order for the A321neo family, with 169 on order and 31 in service. Frontier Airlines, another major player, has 158 aircraft on order with 50 already operating. Meanwhile, American Airlines, with 146 aircraft on order, currently has 84 in service.

This demand is not echoed by Chinese carriers, possibly due to the nation's support for the domestically manufactured COMAC C919. Although China Southern has 57 A321neos on order and another 75 in service, and China Eastern has ordered 58 with 10 in service, the focus may be shifting towards the C919 as Chinese airlines have reportedly ordered 1,000 of these jets.

The A321XLR variant of the A321neo family offers even greater range, with the ability to fly 4,700 nautical miles. Airbus claims the A321XLR to be "the perfect route opener with lower risk for point-to-point operations." It entered service in November 2024 with Spain's Iberia, and almost 550 of these aircraft have been ordered globally. IndiGo is a substantial customer with 69 XLR orders, followed by United Airlines and American Airlines, each with 50.

The A321neo's continuing popularity is indicated by substantial orders from Asia, Europe, and the United States. While some airlines, such as Southwest and Ryanair, continue to operate solely Boeing 737 fleets, the A321neo remains a favored choice for expanding fleets and opening new long-haul routes.