Aer Lingus was set to mark a major milestone on Friday, December 13, with the delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR. The aircraft, registered EI-XLR and named Liadháin (pronounced “Leah-dawn”), was due to arrive in Dublin around 18:50 local time, where a welcoming ceremony was ready.
However, aviation fans were disappointed by a last-minute cancellation. Simple Flying has contacted Aer Lingus for more information on the reasons for the delivery delay.
Instead, the aircraft delivery is scheduled for today. According to the latest information, the new Airbus A321XLR will depart Hamburg at 19:15 and arrive in Dublin around 20:05 local time. You can track the delivery flight directly on Flightradar24.
A New Aircraft Type For Aer Lingus
The Irish flag carrier is celebrating the arrival of a new aircraft type to its fleet: the A321XLR. As Aer Lingus continues to grow its global network, the A321XLR, an extended-range variant of Airbus’s A321neo, is a perfect fit for longer-haul flights.
With its remarkable 4,700 nautical mile range, the new aircraft is anticipated to revolutionize Aer Lingus’s operations and allow the airline to run more economical and efficient transatlantic services. Aer Lingus’s strategy to improve its standing in the competitive North American and European markets will rely heavily on the A321XLR. Simple Flying recently reported that the airline has already announced new transatlantic routes, including flights from Dublin to Nashville and Indianapolis in the United States, which the A321XLR will serve, for 2025.
The first new route between Dublin and Nashville will open on April 12, 2025. The flight will run all year except for a brief hiatus in January and February. Flights between Dublin Airport and Indianapolis International Airport (IND) will begin on May 3, 2025, running four times each week. With further connections to 20 locations, including Paris, London, and Frankfurt, it will emerge as the only continuous route connecting Indiana with Europe.
Aer Lingus has confirmed that two new aircraft will be delivered by the end of 2024, with the second delivery still on track. Adrian Dunne, Aer Lingus’ chief operating officer (COO), confirmed the announcement in a LinkedIn statement in August, noting that following the recent deal with its pilots, the Irish carrier now has the “cost certainty” to welcome two A321XLR aircraft.
The first aircraft, Liadháin, will be central to Aer Lingus’s growing transatlantic operations. The A321XLR’s ability to cover longer distances, with fewer seats to fill compared to widebody aircraft, will provide the airline with flexibility while maintaining lower operational costs.
Aer Lingus’s attempts to fortify its global network, especially after the epidemic, are thought to benefit greatly from the A321XLR. With the aircraft, the airline should be able to offer more affordable point-to-point trips and reach new, untapped regions. With 184 seats in a two-class configuration, including 16 lie-flat business class seats and 168 economy class seats, the new fleet will be well-equipped for lengthy transatlantic flights.
In addition to the new US routes, Aer Lingus has also hinted at the potential for further expansion into North America and beyond, with the A321XLR serving as the backbone for these ambitious plans.
