Airbus Certifies Pratt-Powered A321XLR
European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has achieved a significant milestone with the certification of a new variant of its popular A321XLR, now powered by Pratt & Whitney engines. On February 21, 2025, Airbus announced that the Pratt & Whitney-powered A321XLR variant had received type certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) following extensive testing. This certification clears the path for the new cargo-friendly airliner to enter service later this year, marking another important step in Airbus’s effort to expand its long-range narrowbody portfolio.
The A321XLR, a long-distance version of the A321neo, is designed to fly routes of up to 4,700 nautical miles, linking major cities across continents. With its new Pratt & Whitney engines—specifically updated PW1100G-JM models—the aircraft will offer increased range and higher payload capability, making it an attractive option for airlines looking to serve new direct routes between cities such as New York and Rome, London and Vancouver, or Sydney and Kuala Lumpur. Airbus describes the aircraft as delivering “single-aisle economics on widebody routes,” offering up to 45% lower trip costs compared to larger jets.
Earlier, the A321XLR variant with CFM International LEAP-1A engines had already achieved EASA type certification in July 2024, with early deliveries made to airlines like Iberia and Aer Lingus over the subsequent six months. The recent certification of the Pratt-powered variant adds a new dimension to the A321XLR family, providing airlines with more flexibility in engine choices based on performance and efficiency requirements.
Christian Scherer, CEO Commercial Aircraft at Airbus, commented on the development, saying, “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.”
Supporting this progress, Pratt & Whitney’s parent company RTX stated that, in support of the aircraft certification, updates were made to the PW1100G-JM engine’s type certificates to include the A321XLR. Rick Deurloo, President of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney, remarked, “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.”
Airlines are already showing interest in the new variant. Wizz Air, for instance, expects to take delivery of 47 Airbus A321XLRs with Pratt & Whitney engines after selecting this variant back in 2016. Additionally, Qantas recently offered a sneak peek of its first A321XLR, which entered the final assembly line at Airbus’s Finkenwerder facility in Hamburg, Germany.
So far, over 500 Airbus A321XLRs have been ordered by major carriers including American Airlines, United Airlines, Qantas, IndiGo, and Icelandair. The first A321XLR completed its maiden flight in June 2022, and with the new certification milestones reached, the stage is set for this game-changing aircraft to reshape long-haul travel options worldwide.
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