Dec 3, 2019, 5:26 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
United Airlines Sets a Course for the Future With Order of 50 Airbus A321XLR Aircraft
New aircraft will improve operational efficiency, elevate the inflight travel experience and reduce environmental impact
Airline expects to operate new aircraft on transatlantic routes out of its East Coast hubs in 2024
Photos(1)
CHICAGO, Dec. 3, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines today announced an order to purchase 50 new Airbus A321XLR aircraft, enabling the carrier to begin replacing and retiring its existing fleet of Boeing 757-200 aircraft and further meet the airline's operational needs by pairing the optimal aircraft with select transatlantic routes. The state-of-the-art aircraft, which United expects to introduce into international service in 2024, will also allow United to explore serving additional destinations in Europe from its East Coast hubs in Newark/New York and Washington.
"The new Airbus A321XLR aircraft is an ideal one-for-one replacement for the older, less-efficient aircraft currently operating between some of the most vital cities in our intercontinental network," said Andrew Nocella, United's executive vice president and chief commercial officer. "In addition to strengthening our ability to fly more efficiently, the A321XLR's range capabilities open potential new destinations to further develop our route network and provide customers with more options to travel the globe."
The next-generation A321XLR offers customers an elevated inflight experience and features modern amenities including LED lighting, larger overhead bin space and Wi-Fi connectivity. Additionally, the new aircraft lowers overall fuel burn per seat by about 30% when compared to previous generation aircraft, enabling United to further minimize its environmental impact as the carrier moves towards its ambitious goal of reducing its carbon footprint by 50% relative to 2005 levels by 2050.
United plans to begin taking delivery of the Airbus A321XLR in 2024. Additionally, the airline will defer the delivery of its order of Airbus A350s until 2027 to better align with the carrier's operational needs.
New aircraft will improve operational efficiency, elevate the inflight travel experience and reduce environmental impact
Airline expects to operate new aircraft on transatlantic routes out of its East Coast hubs in 2024
Photos(1)
CHICAGO, Dec. 3, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines today announced an order to purchase 50 new Airbus A321XLR aircraft, enabling the carrier to begin replacing and retiring its existing fleet of Boeing 757-200 aircraft and further meet the airline's operational needs by pairing the optimal aircraft with select transatlantic routes. The state-of-the-art aircraft, which United expects to introduce into international service in 2024, will also allow United to explore serving additional destinations in Europe from its East Coast hubs in Newark/New York and Washington.
"The new Airbus A321XLR aircraft is an ideal one-for-one replacement for the older, less-efficient aircraft currently operating between some of the most vital cities in our intercontinental network," said Andrew Nocella, United's executive vice president and chief commercial officer. "In addition to strengthening our ability to fly more efficiently, the A321XLR's range capabilities open potential new destinations to further develop our route network and provide customers with more options to travel the globe."
The next-generation A321XLR offers customers an elevated inflight experience and features modern amenities including LED lighting, larger overhead bin space and Wi-Fi connectivity. Additionally, the new aircraft lowers overall fuel burn per seat by about 30% when compared to previous generation aircraft, enabling United to further minimize its environmental impact as the carrier moves towards its ambitious goal of reducing its carbon footprint by 50% relative to 2005 levels by 2050.
United plans to begin taking delivery of the Airbus A321XLR in 2024. Additionally, the airline will defer the delivery of its order of Airbus A350s until 2027 to better align with the carrier's operational needs.
United to order 50 Airbus A321XLR (for 2024) (TATL w/Polaris seats)
Jan 6, 2022 | 7:41 pm
#166
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Hope they go with window facing herringbone J seats rather than the JetBlue style aisle facing ones.
My guess is that they end up with 2 versions of the XLR: one with 3 classes (Polaris, PP, and Y) and one with 2 classes (domF/PP and Y), that gets used on low-yield Intl routes and domestic.
My guess is that they end up with 2 versions of the XLR: one with 3 classes (Polaris, PP, and Y) and one with 2 classes (domF/PP and Y), that gets used on low-yield Intl routes and domestic.
Last edited by SFO_FT; Jan 6, 2022 at 7:48 pm
Jan 6, 2022 | 8:09 pm
#167
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Jan 6, 2022 | 8:12 pm
#168
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I thought it was pretty clear that article was NOT using a mock up A321XLR Polaris photo. It is clearly a 777 Polaris interior.
To more accurately show what the A321XLR Neo general front cabin space will feel like, here is a photo of an Aer Lingus A321LR Neo international business class cabin.
To more accurately show what the A321XLR Neo general front cabin space will feel like, here is a photo of an Aer Lingus A321LR Neo international business class cabin.
Last edited by CApreppie; Jan 6, 2022 at 8:21 pm
Jan 6, 2022 | 8:33 pm
#169
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Does anyone here know if there will be traditional window shades or it's going to use 787 Dreamliner windows? I really hate Dreamliner's windows. I know Airbus intends to go down that path eventually, but traditional window shades are the best!
Jan 6, 2022 | 8:40 pm
#170
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Historically, the aisle facing seats allow for slightly more density as the seat angles needed to face the window, while still providing sufficient access to the aisle, is slightly more space consuming. However, seat designers have gotten much more sophisticated in their designs. And, the UA order provides sufficient advance lead time for them carrier to have a bespoke seat designed and, importantly, certified. JetBlue had to go with the only all-aisle accessible seat already available and certified (aisle facing) to launch the LON services.
Jan 6, 2022 | 8:44 pm
#171
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I am certain that it will use shades and other standard interior parts like all the other A320neo family for parts sharing, cost savings, and to get the plane to deliveries as fast as possible.
Jan 6, 2022 | 9:13 pm
#172
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I got worried because the Airbus A350 is supposed to be using 787 Dreamliner windows in the near future.
Jan 6, 2022 | 9:42 pm
#173
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I'm sure they will all go towards dimmable windows as the costs go down and tech improves. With airlines windows getting bigger, no shades saves weight and then the maintenance of fixing busted and worn out shades. Also the FAs can centrally control the dimmable windows if they need to.
Jan 6, 2022 | 10:03 pm
#174
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I'm sure they will all go towards dimmable windows as the costs go down and tech improves. With airlines windows getting bigger, no shades saves weight and then the maintenance of fixing busted and worn out shades. Also the FAs can centrally control the dimmable windows if they need to.
Jan 6, 2022 | 10:26 pm
#175
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I thought it was pretty clear that article was NOT using a mock up A321XLR Polaris photo. It is clearly a 777 Polaris interior. To more accurately show what the A321XLR Neo general front cabin space will feel like, here is a photo of an Aer Lingus A321LR Neo international business class cabin.
The Vantage has proven very popular for premium single-aisles, from its debut as the original JetBlue Mint (with sliding doors for the solo 'throne' seats) to its most recent outing on Singapore Airlines' Boeing 737 MAX jets seen below.
(Of course, JetBlue's A321LR Mint was the launchpad for Thompson's new Vantage Solo platform, which is a 1-1 layout with direct-aisle access for every seat).
Jan 6, 2022 | 10:29 pm
#176
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Jan 6, 2022 | 10:44 pm
#177
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Hope they go with window facing herringbone J seats rather than the JetBlue style aisle facing ones.
My guess is that they end up with 2 versions of the XLR: one with 3 classes (Polaris, PP, and Y) and one with 2 classes (domF/PP and Y), that gets used on low-yield Intl routes and domestic.
My guess is that they end up with 2 versions of the XLR: one with 3 classes (Polaris, PP, and Y) and one with 2 classes (domF/PP and Y), that gets used on low-yield Intl routes and domestic.
Though it would make sense to send some on longer thin routes such as IAH/OGG or maybe SFO/GUM
Jan 6, 2022 | 10:51 pm
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Jan 6, 2022 | 10:51 pm
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The airlines that chose the Thompson Aero Vantage with the single throne seat seating are much better than Gulf Air's 2-2 old-school feeling Collins Aerospace Diamond seats. There is some time for something to be custom designed or alternatives put on the market. The JetBlue Thompson Vantage Solo Mint suites are the best of the current choices.
The very unappealing Gulf Air 321LR seats, but none of their routes go beyond the UK or the Philippines so density I'm sure was the primary consideration.
The very unappealing Gulf Air 321LR seats, but none of their routes go beyond the UK or the Philippines so density I'm sure was the primary consideration.
Last edited by CApreppie; Jan 6, 2022 at 10:58 pm
Jan 7, 2022 | 12:24 am
#180
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I doubt anybody outside UA's product team and perhaps its chosen seat maker / design partner (and maybe some Airbus folk) would know this right now. I certainly don't.
There are in essence three ways this could go (assuming we rule out the old and now very uncompetitive 2-2 layout):
1. The uniquely 'Vantage' approach as per some pics above, with alternating rows of 2-2 and 1-1
2. The direct aisle access model as seen in UA's widebody Polaris and also as typified by JetBlue's A321LR Mint and the Vantage Solo, although most if not all seat makers now have (or are working on) a similar 1-1 layout
3. The X-factor of a very different and unexpected seating layout for an example of this, here is the Access concept by Factorydesign, which combines a high-density 2-2 layout withflatbeds (actually angled beds, as lenscap points out in a comment below) and 'no step-over' access to the aisle.
I think everybody here would like a proper 1-1 layout, as if the current Polaris window seats were zapped with a shrink-ray for just long enough until they fit into the A321's cabin footprint; doors may be optional, some people like them (and JetBlue has 'em) and some don't.
There are in essence three ways this could go (assuming we rule out the old and now very uncompetitive 2-2 layout):
1. The uniquely 'Vantage' approach as per some pics above, with alternating rows of 2-2 and 1-1
2. The direct aisle access model as seen in UA's widebody Polaris and also as typified by JetBlue's A321LR Mint and the Vantage Solo, although most if not all seat makers now have (or are working on) a similar 1-1 layout
3. The X-factor of a very different and unexpected seating layout for an example of this, here is the Access concept by Factorydesign, which combines a high-density 2-2 layout with
I think everybody here would like a proper 1-1 layout, as if the current Polaris window seats were zapped with a shrink-ray for just long enough until they fit into the A321's cabin footprint; doors may be optional, some people like them (and JetBlue has 'em) and some don't.
Last edited by djsflynn; Jan 7, 2022 at 7:25 pm