Pratt & Whitney-powered Airbus A321XLR gains EASA type certification
A variant of the new Airbus A321XLR, powered by Pratt & Whitney engines, has received type certification by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
On February 21, 2025, the European aerospace giant announced that, following extensive testing, the path is now clear for the Pratt & Whitney-powered A321XLR to enter service later this year.
The Airbus A321XLR variant, with CFM LEAP-1A engines, achieved EASA type certification in July 2024, and deliveries of the first few aircraft were made to Iberia and Aer Lingus during the following six months.
Christian Scherer, CEO Commercial Aircraft at Airbus, said: “The A321XLR already displays its great versatility crossing the Atlantic in daily operations. With the certification and entry-into-service of the GTF-powered A321XLR we will see more operators introduce this game changing aircraft. It is also good news for our customers’ passengers who will benefit from the convenience of new direct city to city connections with a heightened level of cabin comfort.”
RTX, which owns Pratt & Whitney, said that in “support of the aircraft certification, updates were made to the PW1100G-JM engine’s type certificates to include A321XLR”.
“The GTF is the most fuel-efficient engine for single-aisle aircraft, and today’s certification from EASA is a key milestone for the program. The GTF-powered Airbus A321XLR will provide longer range and higher payload capability, enabling new route options while reducing operating costs for our customers,”said Rick Deurloo, President of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney. “
Wizz Air is expecting delivery of 47 Airbus A321XLRs with Pratt & Whitney engines after selecting the variant over CFM LEAP engines in 2016.
Qantas recently provided a sneak peek of its first A321XLR, with the aircraft entering the final assembly line at Airbus’ Finkenwerder production facility in Hamburg, Germany.
Say hello to our first @Airbus A321XLR! The aircraft has now progressed to the final assembly line at Airbus’ Finkenwerder production facility in Hamburg, Germany ahead of its scheduled delivery in April 2025.Our first A321XLR will sport the rego VH-OGA and will be named… pic.twitter.com/RV1tGntqvI— Qantas (@Qantas) November 29, 2024 The Airbus A321XLR aircraft, a long-distance variant of the A321neo, is capable of reaching distances of up to 4,700nm. It will link cities such as New York and Rome, London and Vancouver, and Sydney and Kuala Lumpur.
Airbus describes the aircraft as “single-aisle economics on widebody routes”, offering 45% lower trip costs for passengers when compared to flying on a larger jet.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified the Airbus A321XLR with CFM International LEAP-1A engines on October 2, 2024.
Earlier this week, EASA confirmed that Pratt & Whitney PW1000G engines for the Airbus A321XLR had been certified.
So far more than 500 Airbus A321XLRs have been ordered by customers including American Airlines, United Airlines, Qantas, IndiGo and Icelandair.
The first A321XLR completed its maiden flight in June 2022.
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A variant of the new Airbus A321XLR, powered by Pratt & Whitney engines, has received type certification by…
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