There is no reason why a 10-hour flight in a narrow-body aircraft cannot be just as pleasant as, for example, a trip in the giant superjumbo Airbus A380.
This is the thinking behind American Airlines’ new A321XLR flagship suites, which will take pride of place on these extra-long-range jets from early 2025.
The business class of the A321XLR from American Airlines.
The Flagship Suites span 10 rows in a 1:1 layout, giving every passenger direct access to the center aisle. Each of these suites is surrounded by a sliding door to provide premium passengers with a private flight experience.
The business class of the A321XLR from American Airlines.
Of course, the seats can be adjusted from a relaxed reclining position to a completely flat bed in their cozy cocoon.
The business class of the A321XLR from American Airlines.
Although passengers sit by the window for an inspiring view, they can also watch a large HD video screen to pass the time and stream the audio to their own headphones or earphones via Bluetooth.
The business class of the A321XLR from American Airlines.
There’s also fast Wi-Fi—though it’s not free for business class passengers, who, like everyone else, have to pay between $10 and $50 per flight for a monthly pass—as well as AC and USB-C outlets and built-in wireless charging to keep your tech charged on the go.
The business class of the A321XLR from American Airlines.
A flagship experience
“We brought the wide-body experience to a narrow-body aircraft,” boasts Kimberly Cisek, Vice President of Customer Experience at American Airlines.
The business class of the A321XLR from American Airlines.
(Unlike the A380, there is no cocktail bar, but if you really want one, Airbus will happily steer you to one of its private business jets, provided you have $100 million to spare.)
These A321XLR Flagship Suites will help the Oneworld member compete with JetBlue’s A321LR Mint Suites and United’s upcoming A32X1LR Polaris Business Class.
The business class of the A321XLR from American Airlines.
Behind American’s A321XLR Flagship Suites, there will be a special Premium Economy cabin with 12 lie-flat seats in rows of two.
American Airlines A321XLR premium economy aircraft.
In addition, Airbus’ modern “Airspace Design” cabin concept will be implemented from start to finish, with larger luggage racks and LED lighting.
American Airlines A321XLR premium economy aircraft.
The Premium Economy cabin will be followed by 123 standard economy seats, but both classes will have the same USB-C ports and Bluetooth audio as Business Class.
American Airlines A321XLR premium economy aircraft.
A321XLR routes: Transcontinental and Transatlantic
And although the A321XLR has the capacity to fly as far as Europe, it will initially be seen on domestic transcontinental east-west routes such as from Los Angeles and San Francisco to New York and Boston.
The A321XLRs will gradually replace American’s custom-built A321T (transcontinental) jets, which will be reconfigured to the same two-class specification as American’s A321 workhorse fleet.
But the long-legged A321XLRs are also used on overseas routes, especially when the economic viability of the larger jets with two central aisles is not favourable.
“We will not only be able to expand seasonal connections and long-haul routes to year-round connections, but also fly to new popular destinations that would not have been possible before,” says Cisek.
Qantas’ A321XLR on the move…
Qantas also expects to receive the keys to its first A321XLR in early 2025, with the jets with the red tail, in keeping with their domestic use, being equipped for the first time with reclining seats in business class instead of reclining beds.
“Domestically, the XLRs will of course serve our core markets,” such as the ‘Golden Triangle’ of Australia’s capital cities on the east coast, “and also the east-west connections,” says Vanessa Hudson, CEO of the Qantas Group.
However, for a second wave of deliveries, which will be more focused on international routes, the airline is considering using business class flatbed trucks.
“This is something we are currently analyzing,” says Cam Wallace, CEO of Qantas International Business traveler.
“One of the options is a sub-fleet with a lie-flat product” that would focus on international routes compared to the A321XLRs that are mainly used domestically.
“Internationally, the XLRs will be able to access markets that we have not been able to serve commercially before,” Hudson adds, citing potential XLR overseas routes such as Adelaide-Singapore, Canberra-Singapore,” as well as flights from Darwin and Perth and “as far as India (and) Malaysia.”
“We will definitely consider all of these routes and also consider the product we use on these aircraft.”
Read more: Qantas A321XLR Business Class – first reclining seats, later flat beds?
