Five years after it was announced at the Paris Airshow 2019, Airbus delivered the first passenger-ready A321XLR to Spanish flag carrier Iberia. The aircraft now operates on the Boston – Madrid route (here is my review of the first flight). Since then, another two A321XLR aircraft have been delivered to the group airline Air Lingus, which now operates between Dublin and Washington DC / Toronto.

Airbus A321XLR: What is unique?

The A321XLR is the next evolutionary step from the A320neo, which responds to market needs for even more range and payload, creating more value for the airlines. It promises to deliver an unprecedented Xtra Long Range of up to 4,700 nautical miles (equivalent to 5,400 miles) – 15% more range than the A321LR with 30% lower fuel burn per seat compared with previous generation competitor aircraft and reduced NOx emissions and noise. Although launch airlines are still operating it on the 3200-3400 miles segments, they presumably do not push it on the transatlantic segments during winter.

IndiGo’s A321XLR Plans

So far, Airbus has secured more than 500 orders for the aircraft, including 69-70 from Indian carrier IndiGo. IndiGo expects to induct its XLR aircraft in 2025, as mentioned before but is now being talked about openly by IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers. As one of the aircraft’s most significant customers, with over 12% of the book currently, IndiGo has big plans for the aircraft.

Much more information has emerged on the A321XLR plans between the Skift India Forum on March 18 and IndiGo’s Analyst Day on March 19, 2025.

For one, IndiGo is now talking about the induction of the first A321XLR into the fleet as of FY26 (which means April 2025 to March 2026), although some claim a more definitive date of June 2025. I’ve looked around and have yet to see an IndiGo XLR on the production list from publicly available sources, though.

IndiGo has also confirmed that the airline will install 12 business class and 183 Economy Seats in its XLRs, which indicates that there will be more legroom on board compared to the current 222-232 seats on the airline’s A321neos and the 12 Business and 208 Economy configuration on the Stretch Cabin routes. Pieter won’t say whether this will translate into generous, more legroom for everyone or flatbeds in the front cabin.

However, the new aircraft will allow the airline to fly between 7 and 8 hours from its Indian bases.

In terms of what it means for IndiGo, Pieter Elbers mentioned at the Skift India Forum,

So the XLR can bring you not only from Delhi to Nairobi, which today we only do Mumbai to Nairobi, but from Delhi to Geneva, from Delhi to Athens, from Kolkata to Seoul and Chennai to Australia.

But Pieter Elbers has kept everyone guessing about the eventual first destination of the XLR. The only clue he has handed out is that it would be a unique destination where no Indian carrier offers flights. Along with an ambitious plan to add 14 new international destinations in the financial year 2025-26, this could be anywhere in Europe. And most probably, it will be Europe for the first destination (apart from the familiarisation flights).

IndiGo’s 787 plans, only four so far

While the filings at Norse revealed that six 787-9 aircraft might head to IndiGo, IndiGo will only be taking four. This is based on the analyst meeting presentation and what IndiGo told us. It might happen that IndiGo will approve another two 787s later, but so far, that is not the case.

IndiGo intends to fly to Amsterdam and Manchester in the second half of 2025, and the 787s will clearly help achieve that ambition.

Otherwise, IndiGo intends to increase its aircraft fleet to over 600 by 2030 from the current 437. It anticipates receiving more than one new aircraft per week in FY26 (the next financial year), supporting its goal of meeting growing demand in domestic and international markets.

Bottomline

IndiGo will go for a new destination with the induction of the A321XLR in the fleet, which will happen later in the calendar year 2025 or, at most, by March 2026. In the XLR, the airline will have 12 business class seats and 183 Economy Class seats kitted out. The airline will grow its fleet to 600 aircraft by 2030, and international capacity will also increase to 40% over a period of time from the current 28%.

What do you think of IndiGo’s growth plans?

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