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 7, 2022 | 12:31 am
#181
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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 with flatbeds 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 flatbeds 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.
Jan 7, 2022 | 8:53 am
#184
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Of course that assumes that the "completely new" product isn't markedly different in configuration and it's basically like the current staggered aisle setup currently in use.
Jan 7, 2022 | 9:04 am
#185
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I recently flew TAP's A321LR transatlantic service in their modified Thompson Aero Vantage throne seat and was quite comfortable. I slept so soundly that I skipped all F&B in both directions. I wouldn't be unhappy if UA used a similar product and layout.
Jan 7, 2022 | 3:54 pm
#186
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The ACCESS seat by factorydesign is not a flatbed seat. It says on their website it is for airlines that prioritize aisle access over a lie-flat. Here's an interesting article from a few weeks ago about a new seat (not shown) that Boeing sought approval to use on the 737 MAX 10. If this is for United, perhaps this seat (whatever it is) would also be used on the A321s.
https://paxex.aero/sideways-seat-max-10/
https://paxex.aero/sideways-seat-max-10/
Jan 8, 2022 | 11:19 am
#187
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A preview of what UA is planning for the A321XLR:
They will be replacements for 757 and possibly some 767s and hit some TATL markets and Latin America.
There will be a lot of competition for TATL routes using single-aisle aircraft.
Jet Blue is already operating with A321LR and also plan to deploy A321XLRs.
AA is also targeting Western Europe and South America with their A320XLRs, which they will start taking deliveries in 2023.
https://www.executivetraveller.com/n...business-class
“The current Polaris business class seat has received a number of awards and our customers score it very, very high,” Quayle reflects – but being designed for the twin-aisle Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft, it can’t just be dropped into the A321XLR cabin “because obviously the geometry on the narrow-body aircraft is a bit different.”
“So we have taken concepts from that original Polaris seat, what works and what out passengers like, and we’ve tried to apply that to a narrow-body (aircraft).”
“So we have taken concepts from that original Polaris seat, what works and what out passengers like, and we’ve tried to apply that to a narrow-body (aircraft).”
“So you will see something like New York to Bogota, but equally they could go New York to Edinburgh, New York to Glasgow or places like that.”
“There are some markets where, because of range, we’re flying a 767 on it. But if the 767 is a little bit too big, those type of routes can be replaced with an Airbus 321XLR.”
Jet Blue is already operating with A321LR and also plan to deploy A321XLRs.
JetBlue fired the first shot in August 2021 with the launch of flights between New York and London on its A321LR, which boasts 24 stylish Mint business class suites crowned by a pair of spacious Mint Studios.
United will also be going up against American Airlines, which is US launch customer for the A321XLR with the first of 50 jet deliveries from 2023.
Like United, American is plotting new A321XLR business class seats which President Robert Isom described in July 2021 as being “a lie-flat business class”.
Systems partner Thales has revealed these seats will be fitted with 17-inch 4K displays paired to an oversized 5-inch touchscreen handset controller, while every seat from tip to tail will allow Bluetooth audio streaming to the passenger’s own headphones or earbuds.
Like United, American is plotting new A321XLR business class seats which President Robert Isom described in July 2021 as being “a lie-flat business class”.
Systems partner Thales has revealed these seats will be fitted with 17-inch 4K displays paired to an oversized 5-inch touchscreen handset controller, while every seat from tip to tail will allow Bluetooth audio streaming to the passenger’s own headphones or earbuds.
Jan 9, 2022 | 5:58 pm
#188
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It is pretty obvious that the US carriers will use the 321XLR for thinner trans-Atlantic and South America destination. The range map for the 321XL excludes it from trans-pacific. Nothing surprising in those statements.
The interesting comment is that they are taking the "most liked" aspects of Polaris and tailoring it to the A321XLR. The installed seat may not even look like the latest Polaris suite except that I'm sure each seat will have individual aisle access and completely lie flat seating. I'm sure those are two of the highest liked features of the latest suites.
The interesting comment is that they are taking the "most liked" aspects of Polaris and tailoring it to the A321XLR. The installed seat may not even look like the latest Polaris suite except that I'm sure each seat will have individual aisle access and completely lie flat seating. I'm sure those are two of the highest liked features of the latest suites.
Jan 9, 2022 | 6:06 pm
#189
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It is pretty obvious that the US carriers will use the 321XLR for thinner trans-Atlantic and South America destination. The range map for the 321XL excludes it from trans-pacific. Nothing surprising in those statements.
The interesting comment is that they are taking the "most liked" aspects of Polaris and tailoring it to the A321XLR. The installed seat may not even look like the latest Polaris suite except that I'm sure each seat will have individual aisle access and completely lie flat seating. I'm sure those are two of the highest liked features of the latest suites.
The interesting comment is that they are taking the "most liked" aspects of Polaris and tailoring it to the A321XLR. The installed seat may not even look like the latest Polaris suite except that I'm sure each seat will have individual aisle access and completely lie flat seating. I'm sure those are two of the highest liked features of the latest suites.
Jan 9, 2022 | 6:16 pm
#191
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Jan 9, 2022 | 6:45 pm
#192
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Jan 9, 2022 | 7:38 pm
#193
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Jan 9, 2022 | 7:55 pm
#194
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I was thinking from DEN as well. DEN/LIH or DEN/OGG if the 752s are going away and the XLR is only going to be used on N Atlantic and S American routes. Those routes are about as long as IAH/ANC
Jan 9, 2022 | 9:28 pm
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