Wizz Air announces over 7-hour route with new A321XLR aircraft
Wizz Air, known for its ultra-low-cost model, will be the first airline in its category to launch the new-generation, long-range narrow-body aircraft, the A321XLR.
Wizz Air to launch new long-range aircraft
According to the airline’s social media announcement,
the first routes for these aircraft will connect Milan-Malpensa to Abu Dhabi.
Data from booking systems show that the flights will operate daily starting from 2 June 2025, AIRportal.hu reports. These services will be handled by Wizz Air Malta, using Airbus A321XLR aircraft registered in Malta. Flight time is expected to be 6 hours and 35 minutes outbound, and 7 hours and 20 minutes on the return leg.
Wizz Air’s latest financial report reveals that the airline has placed orders for 47 units of the A321neo’s long-range variant. There are plans to use this aircraft for routes to India from various European countries, with approvals already secured from Hungarian, Italian, and Austrian authorities for direct flights to India.
This one’s BIG…
We’re going to be the first Ultra Low-Cost Carrier airline to operate Airbus A321XLR, providing an Xtra Long Range!
So what does this mean? Check out the details 👇
And WIZZ here to book your next exploration: https://t.co/PCcNNZ2fVa pic.twitter.com/2FIv5aCAkE
— Wizz Air (@wizzair) September 4, 2024
Owain Jones, Wizz’s Executive Vice President, told AIRportal.hu this July that the airline expects to take delivery of its first A321XLR in February 2025. The aircraft, like the A321neos, will feature a 239-seat configuration with seats manufactured by the Italian company Geven. However, at the time, Jones did not reveal which base or route would see the debut of the aircraft.
The A321XLR completed its maiden flight in June 2022, followed by an extensive test program involving three aircraft. So far, the manufacturer has received the necessary certification for the variant equipped with CFM LEAP-1A engines and a maximum takeoff weight of 97 tons. Certification for the version equipped with Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, which Wizz Air uses, is still pending.
Read also: