Now that the delivery of the Airbus A321neoLR has started, more and more airlines will use the type to operate long-haul flights. It is a trend that is becoming visible all over the world and it is certainly a major advance for some companies. Next to the A321neo, the 737MAX is also able to fly over the Atlantic Ocean.
Today, TAP Air Portugal has flown his first flight over the Atlantic Ocean and they will continue to do so. The long range variant of the 321neo was used on the route Porto-New York. By using this type, the Portuguese company is not forced to use the larger A330-900 on routes where the number of passengers is not that high. This allows them to reduce costs. The airline also wants to fly the 321neo on new routes and others routes with a low occupancy rate.
The A321neoLR suitable to replace other aircraft types such as the Boeing 767 or 757. In addition to TAP, the French airline La Compagnie has also ordered 2 Airbus A321neoLR’s to be used on the route between Paris and New York. This route is now operated by two Boeing 757-200s, but will be replaced by the new Airbus. In addition, the airline will also start a new route from Nice to New York and use the A321neoLR again. The company plans to start this route on 6 June.
Air Transat received its first A321LR earlier this year and will receive 15 aircraft of this type in the next 2 years. The aircraft flies on different routes between Canada and France and replaces the A330s and especially the older A310s.
Other airlines that have ordered or already took delivery of the A321neoLR are Air Arabia, Air Astana, Arkia Israeli Airlines, Aer Lingus, Azores Airlines and Norwegian.
Air Lingus and Norwegian, among others, have placed large orders for the type so that it can further reduce costs on unprofitable routes.
It is not yet entirely clear what Boeing will do to compete with Airbus. At present, several airlines have the Boeing 737MAX to cross the Atlantic, but these are still grounded due to the two fatal air disasters in Indonesia and Ethiopia. The airplane facturer had previously announced the development of a new aircraft to close the gap between the Boeing 767 and 757: the Boeing 797. This one would be operational by 2027.
