- Spanish airline Iberia operated the first transatlantic Airbus A321XLR flight on Thursday.
- The A321XLR’s extra fuel tank allows it to fly 5,400 miles nonstop, opening new routes for airlines.
- I toured the jet and was impressed with its lie-flat business class and cozy coach cabin.
Spanish flag carrier Iberia operated the first-ever commercial transatlantic Airbus A321XLR flight from Madrid to Boston on Thursday.
The narrow-body plane’s launch represents a new era for long-haul travel. Thanks to its extra fuel tank, the A321XLR can fly up to 11 hours nonstop, opening new routes for airlines between lower-demand cities that were previously unprofitable on larger aircraft.
I toured Iberia’s swanky new aircraft, outfitted with economy and business classes, on Friday. I thought the plane’s luxe business class was easily suitable for long-haul flights. Economy looked comfortable for a seven-hour trek across the Atlantic, but there are certain seats I would avoid.
I look forward to flying Iberia’s new jet one day — especially since I prefer riding on narrowbody planes across the Atlantic and am happy the A321XLR will expand the possible destinations.
