Aer Lingus has introduced its new Airbus A321XLR aircraft on its Dublin-Washington Dulles route, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s North American expansion. On December 20, 2024, the carrier became the second airline globally, and the second within the International Airlines Group (IAG), to operate the long-range, fuel-efficient A321XLR.
Director Airline Business Development at Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Ariana McKnire in an Linkedin post stated “A very warm welcome to Liadhain, one of Aer Lingus’s two new A321XLRs, on its maiden Transatlantic flight!. So glad Aer Lingus chose Washington Dulles – IAD to debut their newest aircraft.”
The first aircraft to operate the route, EI-XLR (msn 11348), named St Lelia / Liadhain, departed Dublin on flight EIN119 at 16:32 local time, arriving in Washington Dulles at 20:36 local time. Just two days later, on December 22, EI-XLT (msn 11590), named St Melanie / Mella, took over the route, operating the same flight with a departure at 16:36 local time and arriving in Washington Dulles at 20:20 local time.
The A321XLR, a next-generation single-aisle aircraft, is up to 20% lower fuel burn per seat than similar previous generation aircraft and is capable of operating with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) . The aircraft has capacity of 184 seats, including 16 full-flat Business Class seats and 168 Economy Class seats, it represents a major step forward in Aer Lingus’ Nort American strategy.
Aer Lingus also has plans to expand its U.S. network with new routes. Starting in April 2025, the airline will launch Ireland’s first direct flight from Dublin to Nashville, Tennessee, followed by a new direct service to Indianapolis, Indiana, in May 2025. Both routes will be served by the A321XLR.
Image Credit: Aer Lingus
Irish Aviation Research Institute © 28 December 2024 All Rights Reserved
