Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR, becoming the first airline in the Middle East and Africa to operate Airbus’ latest extra-long-range single-aisle aircraft.
The aircraft is powered by CFM International LEAP-1A engines and is the first of 15 A321XLRs ordered by Saudia. Its introduction is part of the airline’s wider fleet modernization program, aimed at further developing its international network and increasing capacity in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy. One of the strategy’s objectives is to attract more than 150 million visitors annually by the end of the decade.
The A321XLR gives Saudia the ability to launch new international routes with a single-aisle aircraft, but with a range that approaches part of the market previously served mainly by widebody aircraft. According to Airbus, the A321XLR has a range of up to 4,700 nautical miles, enabling the airline to plan routes more flexibly and expand its network beyond existing markets.
Saudia currently serves more than 100 destinations across four continents, and the new aircraft type is expected to support further growth of its international operations. The introduction of the A321XLR is particularly important for routes where demand does not always justify the use of widebody aircraft, but where greater range is required than standard single-aisle models can offer.
The delivery of the first A321XLR continues the long-standing cooperation between Saudia and Airbus, which spans more than four decades. The first Airbus aircraft entered the Saudi carrier’s fleet in 1984, when an A300 was delivered. Today, Airbus aircraft play an important role in Saudia’s fleet development and network expansion.
The new A321XLR in Saudia’s fleet features a low-density premium configuration with a total of 144 seats. Business Class includes 24 fully flat seats, each with direct aisle access, while Economy Class offers 120 seats.
The cabin is fitted with Airbus’ Airspace concept, through which the manufacturer aims to bring a widebody-style experience to the single-aisle segment. This includes larger overhead bins, advanced ambient lighting systems and, according to Airbus, one of the quietest cabins in its class.
