The airline has 15 A321XLRs on order, all of which will be delivered by 2027.
Saudi Arabian flag-carrier Saudia has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR, which features new cabin products
The twinjet (registered HZ-ASBA) arrived at Saudia’s Jeddah hub on on 24 May. It is the first A321XLR to operate with an airline in the Middle East and Africa region.
The aircraft, powered by a pair of CFM International Leap-1A engines, is also the first of 15 A321XLRs the SkyTeam operator expects to receive through 2027. Saudia in 2019 ordered 15 of the longer-range aircraft as part of a 30-aircraft order for A320neo-family jets.
The carrier notes the long-range capability of the A321XLR offers “greater flexibility” for its international network, and “enables Saudia to expand international connectivity more efficiently, aligning aircraft capacity to market demand while maintaining a high-quality onboard experience”.
Saudia did not reveal the routes that the A321XLR will serve, though it notes that the aircraft will “support network growth across key travel segments, including tourism, business, major events, and pilgrim travel”. The airline had also previously indicated the aircraft could open up new markets across Europe.
Saudia’s A321XLRs are configured to seat 144 passengers in two classes. The airline has tapped Thompson Aero Seating for its new business-class product, opting for 24 VantageSolo lie-flat suites.
Saudia’s director-general Ibrahim Al-Omar says: “The delivery of the A321XLR reflects the momentum of Saudia’s ongoing transformation. As we continue to grow our fleet, our focus is not only on adding capacity, but on investing in aircraft, products, and capabilities that strengthen Saudia’s competitiveness and support the [Saudi Arabia’s] aviation ambitions.”
The post Saudia receives first A321XLR first appeared on FlightGlobal.