• rsz_airbus_50th_years_anniversary_formation_flight_-_air_to_air
    Airbus
    Stock Code:
    AIR
    Date Founded:
    1970-12-18
    CEO:
    Guillaume Faury
    Headquarters Location:
    Toulouse, France
    Key Product Lines:
    Airbus A220, Airbus A320, Airbus A330, Airbus A340, Airbus A350, Airbus A380
    Business Type:
    Planemaker

On August 25th, Airbus' 2nd A321XLR was spotted with its engines now installed. The aircraft was first noticed back in late May but at the time had yet to have its powerplants attached. Despite still lacking a proper paint job, the jet appears to be a major step closer to joining the first A321XLR in conducting test flights.

The second prototype

Data from AIB Family Flights notes that the second A321XLR prototype, registration unknown, has manufacturer serial number (MSN) 11080. The aircraft is being prepared at Airbus' Hamburg site and will presumably contribute to Airbus' test flight campaign as it moves the type towards entry into service.

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When it comes to new aircraft types and variants, manufacturers such as Airbus and Boeing typically produce several test aircraft. In the case of the Airbus A350, five functioning test aircraft were produced along with one static airframe. Planespotters.net data indicates that four remain under the care of Airbus with two active, one listed as parked, and the fourth listed as preserved. The fifth working example, MSN 005, was sold off to French Bee at the start of 2018 with the aircraft in active service.

It's perhaps too early to speculate on what the ultimate fate of these test airframes will be. However, when it comes to the previous A321neo testbed, we can see that the testbed initially registered D-AVXA (MSN 6673) was sold off to Vietnamese budget airline VietJet five years later. The aircraft is now registered VN-A540. Interestingly, the second A321neo testbed, registered D-AVXB with MSN 6839 remains with Airbus as a testbed. This aircraft actually last flew on August 9th, conducting a two-hour test flight at low-altitude just outside of Toulouse.

A321XLR program progressing towards certification

On June 15th, Airbus achieved an important milestone in the A321XLR program when its first prototype successfully accomplished its first flight. Airbus noted at the time that the aircraft would quickly begin its flight test campaign en route to securing Type Certification in 2023 and entry into service in 2024.

Since that first flight in mid-June, AIB Family Flights notes that this first A321XLR, registered F-WXLR, MSN 11000, has racked up well over 80 hours of test flight time across 25 different flights. The jet's most recent test flight out of Toulouse lasted nearly three hours and took it out to the Bay of Biscay with runs up and down the coast.

Airbus had originally expected its latest narrowbody variant to enter revenue service by the end of 2023. However, as was reported by Simple Flying in early May, additional structural work on the new tanks could take between six months and a year. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) had noted that certification of the A321XLR was an "ongoing project," and that the issue prompting the delay related to rules surrounding the installation of the rear center fuel tanks.

Ultimately, a lot is riding on this upcoming long-range variant, with airlines already drafting up new and exciting plans for the variant. airBaltic may use the aircraft for flights to the US, while American Airlines also hopes to use its XLR jets on transatlantic services.

Are you eager to see the Airbus A321XLR achieve type certification and enter service? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment.

Sources: AIB Family Flights. Planespotters.net