Aer Lingus is pleased to announce the arrival of its first Airbus A321XLR

Today, December 18, 2024, Aer Lingus is pleased to announce the arrival of its first Airbus A321XLR, registered as EI-XLR, at Dublin Airport. With the addition of an aircraft built for increased range and fuel efficiency, this delivery represents a major milestone for the Irish flag carrier.

                         Aer Lingus A321 Neo EI-XLR Landing at Dublin Airport Photo: EU Plane Spotters 

Airbus' Hamburg-Finkenwerder factory in Germany was where EI-XLR's adventure started. Following multiple delays, the plane finally took off from Hamburg at 13:13 local time and landed in Dublin at 14:11, finishing a trip of less than two hours. 

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There were several delays in this aircraft's delivery. At first, the A321XLR was supposed to be launched by Aer Lingus in October 2024. Following a lengthy pay dispute with the Irish Air Line Pilots Association (IALPA), the first plane to another member of the International Airlines Group (IAG), Iberia. Later, in late November 2024, Iberia acquired its A321XLR and began transatlantic operations.

The aircraft's certification procedure also presented Airbus with regulatory obstacles, which further delayed deliveries. These problems caused the initial timeframe to be further delayed by requiring design changes and lengthy assessments.

Here is a video that documents the historic arrival of EI-XLR at Dublin Airport for aviation fans who would like to see it happen

 

Now that labour disputes have been settled and the required certifications have been obtained, Aer Lingus is ready to incorporate the A321XLR into its operations. Service from Dublin to Nashville and Indianapolis, which are set to start in April and May 2025, respectively, are among the airline's ambitious plans to use this aircraft on additional transatlantic routes.

Because the A321XLR can travel up to 4,700 nautical miles, Aer Lingus can more effectively operate long-haul flights, providing travellers with improved connections between Ireland and the US. This fleet expansion demonstrates Aer Lingus' dedication to growing its transatlantic network and offering its clients top-notch service.

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