In the end, American Airways has set a date for the debut of its latest, premium-heavy airplane.
Simply earlier than the vacations, the Fort Price-based provider will inaugurate service on its first-ever Airbus A321XLR, a single-aisle plane that may sport its newest-generation Flagship Suites — together with a bona fide premium financial system cabin and the gas effectivity required to criss-cross the Atlantic Ocean.
Anticipated since American first positioned its order for 50 of the XLR jets within the late 2010s, American on Wednesday took supply of its first such plane, which arrived to the airline’s Texas headquarters from Airbus’ facility in Hamburg, Germany.
The airplane will formally enter service on Dec. 18, when it flies nonstop from New York’s John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK) to Los Angeles Worldwide Airport (LAX).
Tickets are actually on sale for the inaugural flight — and all flights the plane function by way of Feb. 11.
And seats look to be in excessive demand; business-class suites on the Dec. 18 inaugural flight had been bought out, at first test Thursday. Entrance-cabin award tickets on the second westward flight, on Dec. 19, had been going for 105,000 AAdvantage miles.
American would be the first U.S. airline to debut the A321XLR, which first entered the worldwide market with Spain’s Iberia final November.
And it will critically up American’s premium sport — each domestically and, finally, on the worldwide stage.
“Whether or not prospects are touring from coast to coast or throughout the ocean, American’s latest plane demonstrates our dedication to offering a premium journey expertise,” Chief Buyer Officer Heather Garboden mentioned in a press release Thursday.
Reward your inbox with the TPG Day by day e-newsletter
Be a part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s consultants
On board American’s new Airbus A321XLR
On board, American’s new XLR sports activities 20 of the airline’s brand-new Flagship Suites, full with sliding privateness doorways — the identical idea that the provider debuted in June on its latest Boeing “787-9P” Dreamliner.
Behind these suites, vacationers will discover 12 premium financial system recliners that includes winged headrests and cocktail trays, paying homage to a home first-class seat.
These premium financial system seats will complement 123 seats in the principle cabin.
All all through, the cabin options the brand new coloration palette that first appeared earlier this 12 months on its 787-9P — as proven in pictures shared by the airline Thursday. You may see the lighter blue seat coverings with brown leather-based accents in every cabin — and the provider’s emblem displayed extra prominently.
As for that extra premium-heavy configuration on this narrow-body airplane? American will deploy on its most premium routes.
From the outset, the XLR will function prime transcontinental routes at present served by American’s outgoing Airbus A321T. (We should always observe, not like the A321T, these XLRs will not have Flagship First, a cabin American is sunsetting).
By subsequent 12 months, the airline expects to deploy the airplane on worldwide routes — from Europe to South America. Final fall, American’s prime community planner instructed me he expects the plane to open up new long-haul locations the airline cannot justify serving with a bigger Boeing 777 or 787 Dreamliner.
Backside line
Information of American’s first XLR supply got here on the identical day the provider introduced extra massive plans for its fleet. Executives on Thursday revealed the provider will retrofit its largest long-haul workhorse, the Boeing 777-200ER, with all-new interiors — together with the airline’s new Flagship suite idea.
In the meantime, the provider can also be planning to replace its bigger 777-300ERs with the brand new suites and cabin aesthetic.
Associated studying:
