Aer Lingus (EI, Dublin International) has been confirmed as the A321-200NY(XLR)'s launch operator, a variant that is now expected to enter into revenue service in the third quarter of 2024.
Msn 11348, which is due to become EI-XLR on delivery, has been painted into the Irish carrier's livery, although with no engines installed just yet. Chief Commercial Officer Adrian Dunne said on social media that "preparations are well underway" for the type's induction.
The Irish subsidiary of IAG International Airlines Group has six A321-200NY(XLR)s on order from Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) and plans to deploy them on thinner transatlantic routes that cannot sustain widebody aircraft year-round.
The ch-aviation fleets module shows that Aer Lingus already operates eight A321-200NX(LR)s. However, in contrast to the (LR), which is just a modification of the A321-200NX and does not have a separate type certificate, the (XLR) has been extensively redesigned and has yet to obtain its type certificate.
Aer Lingus also operates thirty A320-200s, four A320-200Ns, three A330-200s, and ten A330-300s.
Airbus has 495 firm orders for the (XLR)s, including 69 from the largest customer, IndiGo Airlines (6E, Delhi International).
