Saudia becomes the first operator in the Middle East and Africa of the Airbus A321XLR | News
Saudia, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has taken delivery of its first A321XLR, marking a significant milestone as the first airline in the Middle East and Africa to operate Airbus’ latest single-aisle extra-long-haul aircraft.
The aircraft, powered by CFM International LEAP-1A engines, is the first of 15 A321XLRs ordered by the airline. This delivery is a cornerstone of Saudia’s comprehensive fleet modernization program and directly supports the expansion of its international network in line with Saudi Vision 2030. By increasing connectivity and capacity, the A321XLR will support the Kingdom’s ambition to attract more than 150 million visitors annually by the end of the decade.
This delivery reinforces a partnership between Airbus and Saudia that has spanned more than 40 years, starting with the airline’s first delivery of the A300 in 1984. Today, Airbus aircraft remain central to Saudia’s operations as it scales up its fleet development and network growth.
Saudia currently serves more than 100 destinations across four continents, with the A321XLR supporting further expansion into new international markets. With a range of up to 4,700 nautical miles, the A321XLR allows Saudia to expand its international destinations with a single-aisle aircraft. These routes would traditionally be served by larger widebody aircraft, while maintaining a premium guest experience.
The aircraft features a very high-quality, low-density configuration, with 24 fully flat Business Class seats offering direct aisle access, in addition to 120 comfortable Economy Class seats. The aircraft is equipped with the Airbus Airspace Cabin, which gives a single-aisle jet a widebody experience. Key features include extra-large luggage compartments, advanced lighting systems and one of the quietest cabins in its class.
The A321XLR is the latest evolution of the A320neo family, designed to meet global demands for extended range and operational flexibility. It delivers a 30% reduction in fuel consumption per seat compared to previous generation aircraft, reducing CO2 emissions and noise footprint. Today, all Airbus aircraft can operate with 50% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with the aim of increasing SAF capacity to 100% by 2030, directly supporting the aviation industry’s sustainability goals.
To date, the A320 family has secured more than 19,900 orders from more than 300 customers worldwide, cementing its position as the world’s most successful commercial aircraft program.
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