FRANKFURT—The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has certified the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-powered version of the Airbus A321XLR, clearing the way for its entry into commercial service with Wizz Air in the coming weeks.
Airbus had received certification of the CFM International Leap 1A-powered version in July 2024.
Three of the Leap-equipped aircraft have been delivered so far, all to International Airlines Group—two to Aer Lingus and one to Iberia—according to Aviation Week Network’s Fleet Discovery database.
Airbus says there are more than 500 firm orders for the XLR, which is designed to fly sectors of up to 4,700 nm and thus open up secondary long-haul routes to transatlantic operations. The A321XLR made its first flight in June 2022.
Iberia is using its XLR on the Madrid-Boston route. Aer Lingus has been deploying the type on services from Dublin to Washington D.C., Boston and Toronto, among others. The aircraft are also flying some European short-haul sectors. Wizz Air previously said it plans to base its first XLR at Milan Malpensa.
Of the 425 A321XLRs on order where the engine selection has been firmed, 244 have the PW1100G (GTF) and the remaining 181 will have the Leap, Fleet Discovery shows.
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