United Airlines ordered 50 Airbus A321XLR aircraft from Airbus just last month. The aircraft will allow the carrier to open narrow but long-haul routes, potentially offering unique connections to smaller cities. But where will these routes fly? Let us explore.

United A321XLR
More than 450 units of the A321XLR have been ordered so far. Photo: Airbus

"In addition to strengthening our ability to fly more efficiently, the A321XLR’s range capabilities open potential new destinations to further develop our route network and provide customers with more options to travel the globe." - United Press Release

The A321XLR will be also be used to fly to existing United destinations, but we will look at possible new routes that are currently not served by the airline.

IndiGo Airbus order
The IndiGo Airbus order could include the XLR. Photo: Airbus

We will be looking for cities that are small enough to justify only an A321XLR flight and within range of the aircraft (4700 nautical miles).

Starting from New York, the A321XLR opens up a range of possibilities.

New York
There is quite a range of destinations from United's New York hub (pun not intended). Photo: GCmaps

Montevideo - Uruguay -  4618 nautical miles

GCmaps
The first of the new routes United can now do with the A321XLR. Photo: GCmaps

The first in this list is a little unconventional but hear us out. United already flies to nearby Argentina so it has had the capacity to fly the capital of Uruguay for many years. But yet don't.

Thus we can assume the market has never needed a wide-body aircraft. With the A321XLR, United will now be able to link New York to the capital of the nation Montevideo without having to use a widebody.

Marrakech - Morroco - 3171 nautical miles

Morocco
New York direct to Morocco. Photo: GCmap

Another easy route for United might be to Morocco. There are currently only non-stop flights to Casablanca (with Royal Air Maroc) but not to Marrakech or Fez. There is an opportunity to either be competitive or open up a new tourist route for United.

Zagreb - Croatia - 3739 nautical miles

Croatia
Croatia also offers a unique new destination. Photo: GCmaps

Croatia has really exploded as a tourist destination in recent years, offering beaches, culture and a vibrant party scene. So much so that Chinese carriers are opening up direct flights between the two countries. United could get ahead of the curve and offer direct routes to Croatia before the competition.

Sapporo - Japan - 4457 nautical miles

Japan
Los Angeles to northern Japan. Perfect for ski season. Photo: GCmaps

A wild card choice might be to open a route from Los Angeles to the ski capital of Japan, Sapporo. The destination might offer a unique take at Japan for US tourists and offer a quick way for Japanese passengers to reach the West Coast without traveling through busy Tokyo.

Krakow - Poland - 3734 nautical miles

GCMaps
United needs a direct flight to Poland. Photo: GCMaps

Shockingly, United doesn't actually fly to Poland. Poland is one of the most populated countries in Europe next to Germany and France and easily could sustain a healthy A321XLR flight. Krakow is the cultural hub of the country (and a significant source of Jewish and Catholic heritage) and capital Warsaw also offers a good opportunity.

Overall there are many new routes that United can open up from their hub airports thanks to the A321XLR. We look forward to seeing what creative destinations United comes up with.

What do you think? Can you imagine any new routes opened up by the A321XLR?