Airlines seek more Airbus A321XLRs amid delivery delays

Aviation analyst Tom Fitzgerald from TD Cowen noted that passenger feedback on the A321XLR is comparable to larger twin-aisle planes based on net promoter scores measuring customer willingness to recommend a product.

Despite positive reviews from airlines and travelers, supply remains limited. Keen stated that obtaining more aircraft has been challenging due to delays in certification and ongoing supply chain issues affecting Airbus deliveries. Aer Lingus expects its sixth and final ordered plane by year-end; Iberia will receive its eighth by then as well. "We think there are a lot more things we could do with more aircraft," Keen added.

American Airlines also received its first A321XLR this summer but has yet to put it into service because seat installations were delayed due to industry-wide supply chain problems. The backlog for new Airbus planes extends into the early 2030s. For example, Greece's Aegean Airlines purchased two jets originally intended for JetBlue in order to speed up its own expansion plans.

Airbus aims to produce 75 A320neo-family planes per month by 2027 but has not specified how many will be A321XLRs. Boeing currently does not offer a similar product after pausing development on its "New Midsize Airplane" project in early 2020.

Full-service carriers such as Aer Lingus, American Airlines, United Airlines, and Qantas see value in using the A321XLR on transatlantic or regional long-haul routes due to its range—though some operational limitations exist because of regulatory safety modifications reducing maximum range below advertised figures. For instance, winter headwinds may require payload restrictions on westbound U.S.-bound flights from Dublin.

The aircraft appears less suitable for budget airlines seeking high-density layouts over longer distances. An Iberia investor presentation indicated a reduced range when configured with nearly 200 seats; Wizz Air’s CEO József Váradi said their version had “underperformed in terms of weight and range,” leading them—and U.S.-based Frontier—to switch most orders back to other models within Airbus’ portfolio.

An Airbus spokesperson maintained that the jet’s range remains at 5,400 miles but declined comment on specific airline operations. Brett Snyder of Cranky Flier blog remarked via email: "The airplane likely won't have the range to do some of the routes people have hoped to see, like East Coast to Rome," though he noted it still offers opportunities for full-service carriers willing to experiment with new routes.

As airlines continue adapting their networks around available capacity and evolving market demand, interest remains high in acquiring additional long-range narrow-body jets despite production bottlenecks.