Several airlines are already preparing for the incorporation of the Airbus A321XLR into their fleet, an aircraft that, due to its range, is expected to radically change many long-haul markets.
Wizz Air was the latest to make an announcement related to this model, confirming today which will be the first route on which it will be deployed. Starting June 2, the ultra low-cost airline will begin operating between Milan and Abu Dhabi with the A321XLR, with a daily frequency.
The flight will last approximately 7 hours (4,719 km separate the two cities), and Wizz Air assures that it will offer fares 70% lower than the current competition on that route, which will showcase the role the A321XLR will play in the industry. Etihad Airways operates 10 weekly flights between Milan and Abu Dhabi with Boeing 787-9 aircraft.
“The Airbus A321XLR is the most cost-efficient aircraft in its class, and given its extended range, it allows Wizz Air to connect the farthest destinations in its network and further expand it, connecting cultures and continents,” said József Váradi, CEO of Wizz Air, during a press conference held today in Milan.
“We are excited to offer unbeatable fares to our customers on the newly announced route to Abu Dhabi, while providing the most sustainable flying option. We already operate several low-cost 5-6 hour routes with great customer satisfaction, and the XLR will extend our outstanding value proposition to 7-8 hour flights,” he added.
Wizz Air has ordered 47 Airbus A321XLR, although its portfolio of aircraft pending delivery reaches 306, also considering other variants of the A321neo and A320neo.
While Wizz Air will be the first ultra low-cost airline to operate the A321XLR, the historical place as the first airline to do so will go to Iberia starting in October this year, when it debuts the aircraft on its routes from Madrid to Boston and Washington/Dulles.
Airbus already has around 600 orders for the A321XLR from airlines like United, American Airlines, JetSMART, SKY, Iberia, and LATAM, among others. This aircraft, equipped with additional auxiliary tanks, has the capacity to perform flights of up to 4,700 nautical miles (8,700 kilometers). To make use of this greater fuel capacity, the maximum take-off weight of the A321XLR has been increased to 101 tons, compared to the 97 tons of its predecessor, the A321LR. Additionally, the landing gear has been reinforced.
