Boeing’s biggest rival Airbus to launch ‘game changing’ plane this year
- With Boeing being occupied with other matters, Airbus seems to be taking the lead
- The European aircraft manufacturer is launching a new aircraft this year
- It is called the A321XLR
Published on Jul 02, 2024 at 3:49 PM (UTC+4)
by Nalin Rawat
Last updated on Jul 29, 2024 at 9:46 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
Boeing’s rival Airbus is set to launch its game-changing A321XLR plane this year.
With Boeing’s absence at an upcoming international airshow, all eyes will be on its European rival, Airbus.
The A321XLR stands for ‘Xtra Long Range’ model and is part of the A320 family.
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Airbus A321XLR
The Airbus A321XLR is the European aircraft manufacturer’s soon-to-be-certified single-aisle aircraft.
It seems the aircraft is quite highly anticipated as the company has secured over 550 orders for the plane.
This aircraft is an extra long-range variant of the A321neo family.
It also comes with an extra rear center fuel tank that helps the narrowbody fly up to 4,700 nautical miles (approximately 8,700 kilometers) or 11 hours nonstop.
The Airbus 320 family has already been outselling the Boeing 737 since 2019. And this might be the final nail in the coffin.
With Boeing choosing not to bring any planes to the Farnborough International Airshow this year, the Airbus A321XLR will likely enjoy the limelight.
According to Airbus, the A321XLR boasts a 30% reduced fuel burn compared to previous-generation competing aircraft.
It will also be half the trip cost of dual-aisle planes, like the Boeing 747 and Airbus A380.
This will certainly increase the profit margin of airlines but only time will tell if it help reduce flight ticket costs.
Airbus has already received orders from American Airlines, United Airlines, Spain’s Iberia, India’s IndiGo, Qantas, AirAsia X, Chile’s Sky Airlines, Czech Airlines, and others.
According to Spain’s Iberia airline, its new XLR planes will feature 182 seats across economy and business cabins.
However, the Airbus A321XLR can carry up to 220 people in two classes.
This is not the only thing that Airbus is currently working on as they are also developing a blended-wing-body aircraft called Maverick.
Then there’s the Airbus Racer — a half-plane, half-helicopter hybrid.
It certainly seems like the European manufacturer has a lot on its plate.
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Nalin started his career by working with various national newspapers in India. He has also worked as a writer/editor for many popular websites, while still pursuing his journalism and mass communication degree. Working as a digital nomad has allowed him to inform and educate through his work. When he is not writing, you can find him playing video games or travelling the mountains on his bike.
