Spanish carrier Iberia, the launch customer for the Airbus A321XLR, has opened reservations for the first two routes that will be served using the aircraft type.
The airline has tentatively scheduled the inaugural commercial flight for Nov. 14, connecting Madrid Adolfo Suarez-Barajas Airport (MAD) and Boston Logan International Airport. A second A321XLR route from MAD to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is due to start in mid-January 2025.
Iberia was confirmed as the launch operator of the aircraft in May by parent company International Airlines Group (IAG). It was initially expected that the first A321XLRs would go to sister carrier Aer Lingus, but IAG decided to switch to Iberia after a pilot pay dispute at Aer Lingus was not resolved in time.
Iberia’s booking system shows that three of the four weekly flights between Madrid and Boston will use the A321XLR, replacing A330 equipment. From Dec. 15, frequencies will increase to daily—each of which will be operated by an A321XLR.
Washington is also an existing destination for Iberia, but until now has only been served seasonally during the summer months. However, the airline’s booking system shows the MAD-IAD route will operate six times per week from Jan. 15, 2025, using A321XLRs.
Boston and Washington are two of eight cities in North America served by the airline from Madrid, alongside Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York John F. Kennedy and San Francisco.
IAG placed a firm order for 14 A321XLRs at the Paris Air Show in 2019, with eight designated for Iberia and six for Aer Lingus. Iberia expects to take delivery of the first A321XLR “by the end of the summer.”
The Oneworld alliance member’s A321XLRs will feature 182 seats in a two-cabin configuration, including 14 in its business cabin with “full flat” seats that convert into beds and offer direct aisle access.
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