Iberia has celebrated a year flying the Airbus A321XLR.
The aircraft has been a game changer which is transforming transatlantic connectivity, the airline says.
Iberia was the aircraft’s first airline customer.
The aircraft just made its first long-haul flight to Boston, marking a new era in transatlantic travel.
The aircraft delivers up to 40% fuel savings enabling efficient single aisle transatlantic flying.
The A321XLR features the new Airspace cabin with larger overhead bins, LED lighting, and a two-class configuration in Business and Economy.
Since its first flight to Boston, the A321XLR has been strengthening Iberia’s long-haul network.
Thanks to the XLR’s range, the airline has been able to increase frequencies on key routes.
Boston has grown from one daily flight to two; Washington, previously seasonal, is now offered year-round; and Puerto Rico has also increased from one to two daily flights between Madrid and San Juan.
In the coming weeks, the XLR will enable Iberia to add new destinations to its network: Recife, launching December 13, and Fortaleza, on January 19—both with three weekly frequencies.
Ramiro Sequeira, Iberia’s Chief Production Officer, said: “The Airbus A321XLR has transformed our long-haul strategy, enabling us to open new destinations and increase frequencies with unprecedented efficiency.”
In 2019, Iberia placed an order for eight A321XLR aircraft to strengthen its long-haul strategy.
The airline currently operates five and will add one more before the end of 2025.
The final two units will arrive in 2026.
