Iberia to debut new Airbus A321XLR this year

Spanish carrier Iberia will be the first airline to take delivery of the Airbus A321XLR, when the new aircraft enter its fleet later this year.

Upon delivery in “late summer” the A321XLR will initially be used for medium-haul flights before operating long-haul flights on the carrier’s transatlantic routes in the next winter season.

The first long-haul destinations are expected to be Washington DC and Boston, according to the IAG-owned carrier.

The single-aisle aircraft, which consumes around 30 per cent less fuel than wide-body models, according to the carrier, feature 14 business class seats and 168 seats in the economy cabin, which include leather headrests and a four-inch recline.

Business class seats, meanwhile, convert to a full-flat bed and have an 18-inch 4K screen. Seats across both cabins include a Bluetooth connection for wireless headphones as well as USB type A and C charging ports. A free inflight wifi service for inflight messages will also be available to all travellers.

Following delivery of its first A321XLR this summer, Iberia expects to receive seven additional new aircraft “in the following months” as it looks to expand its long-haul network and increase its current flying capacity, which already experienced double-digit growth in the year’s first quarter, according to IAG’s recent financial report.