Icelandair has placed a purchase order for 13 A321XLR aircraft, making it the company's newest client.
On July 6, 2023, Icelandair, the principal airline operating out of Keflavik, also declared its intention to lease four A321LR aircraft.
In April 2023, Icelandair and Airbus agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for 13 A321XLR aircraft.
While Icelandair will continue to operate only Boeing aircraft until 2025, the airline will switch to a mixed fleet with the anticipated delivery of the first A321LR.
The leasing of the new A321LR aircraft has now been finalized with the airline's long-term partner SMBC Aviation Capital. The first aircraft is slated for delivery in 2029, but the carrier expects to have four Airbus aircraft in operation before summer 2025.
"We are happy to report that the acquisition agreement with Airbus has been completed. The effective A321XLR aircraft, according to Icelandair CEO Bogi Nils Bogason, "will further strengthen our business model, increase our flexibility, present opportunities for future growth, and support our sustainability efforts."
The A321XLR is the "next evolutionary step from the A320neo," according to Airbus, and it "responds to market needs for even more range and payload, creating more value for the airlines."
The A321XLR offers seats in all classes with the same high comfort as on a long-haul wide-body aircraft, with the low expenses of a single-aisle aircraft, and can travel up to 4,700nm (15% longer range than the A321LR).
"We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Icelandair for having faith in Airbus. We are incredibly proud to welcome Icelandair as a new Airbus client. Your airline is paving the way for sustainable growth with the A321XLR's great performance, incredible efficiency, and significant reduction in CO2 emissions, according to Christian Scherer, Airbus CCO and head of Airbus International.
46 aircraft, including 16 Boeing 737 MAX, 16 757-200, two 757-300, and three 767-300ER, are currently in its fleet, according to data from thetransporteronline24. The Icelandic airline flies a pair of 757-200F freighters, one of which has been converted, as well as two 767-300F freighters that have also been converted.
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