Aer Lingus Airbus A321XLR: What it’s prefer to fly the transatlantic slim‑physique jet

The most recent plane within the Aer Lingus fleet is the Airbus A321XLR.

Designed for lengthy, skinny routes like these throughout the Atlantic (the “XLR” stands for “Additional Lengthy Vary”), the single-aisle jet guarantees the vary of some wide-body plane with fewer seats to fill on each flight.

Having flown sister airline Iberia’s A321XLR final yr (the world’s first operator of this game-changing new plane sort), I used to be curious to see how the Irish flag service’s model in contrast, so I flew the A321XLR round-trip between Dublin Airport (DUB) and Minneapolis-St. Paul Worldwide Airport (MSP) to seek out out.

Here is what the expertise was like in each enterprise and economic system class, what it’s essential to know earlier than reserving, and how one can e-book it with factors and miles.

The place does Aer Lingus fly the Airbus A321XLR?

Aer Lingus took supply of its first two A321XLRs in December 2024. A 3rd has since joined the fleet, and three extra are on order however but to be delivered. The airline is utilizing the additional vary to open and proper‑measurement “thinner” U.S. routes to and from its hub at Dublin Airport (DUB). Suppose Nashville Worldwide Airport (BNA) and Indianapolis Worldwide Airport (IND), which launched in 2025.

The A321XLR additionally swaps into some current markets, like MSP and infrequently Bradley Worldwide Airport (BDL) in Hartford, Connecticut, as schedules evolve. In April 2026, Aer Lingus may also use the plane to launch flights to Raleigh-Durham Worldwide Airport (RDU).

Flights from Dublin to Nashville are scheduled for round 9 hours, showcasing the A321XLR’s vary. For passengers, although, it is a lengthy interval to spend in a single-aisle plane, particularly in economic system.

Aer Lingus already operates a fleet of eight Airbus A321LR plane to locations in North America, which have been delivered between 2019 and 2021. Choosing fleet consistency over onboard product innovation, the newer A321XLR plane have the identical cabin layouts and seat varieties because the older A321LR plane, with 16 lie-flat business-class seats and 168 economy-class seats.

Thus, the onboard expertise is sort of an identical, save for some tech enhancements.

The important thing distinction is vary: The A321XLR can fly about 15% farther (as much as 4,700 nautical miles) than the A321LR (round 4,000 nautical miles), giving Aer Lingus the power to fly longer routes to the U.S. with a single-aisle plane carrying a full load of passengers and cargo. This makes the A321XLR much less about altering the passenger expertise and extra about increasing the place Aer Lingus can viably fly nonstop.

Associated: Air Canada will use new long-range Airbus A321XLR to launch Mallorca flights

Floor expertise in Dublin

One of many largest benefits of flying Aer Lingus from Eire to the U.S. is the U.S. preclearance facility at DUB. After clearing Irish safety, all U.S.-bound passengers proceed by a devoted space in Terminal 2 the place U.S. Customs and Border Safety officers conduct full inbound immigration and customs checks earlier than departure.

It means you’ll be able to land stateside as a home passenger with out ready in lengthy immigration traces or for a CBP officer to course of your passport, and no anxiousness about tight connections. The time saved could be substantial, particularly if you do not have International Entry.

After preclearance, the two-level Terminal 2 has a slim and loud airside gate space downstairs.

Aer Lingus, American Airways, Delta Air Strains and United Airways premium passengers, in addition to choose elite members, may entry the airport’s 51st & Inexperienced lounge, positioned downstairs after U.S. preclearance.

The area is fashionable, vivid and constructed for transatlantic departures. It has runway views, showers and loads of energy retailers to cost units earlier than crossing the pond.

Primary meals and a restrict of two complimentary alcoholic drinks are supplied per individual. Whereas this lounge is unlikely to make any lists of the world’s greatest airport lounges, it’s a suitable area to await your flight.

Fortuitously, most Aer Lingus flights throughout the Atlantic depart from gates upstairs in Terminal 2, which is a way more spacious space with well-designed boarding lanes and loads of seating. If you do not have lounge entry, head upstairs to loosen up and wait.

Selecting one of the best business-class seat on the Aer Lingus A321XLR

Enterprise-class seating alternates between paired seats (in a 2‑2 configuration) and coveted solo “throne” seats (in a 1‑1 configuration). Passengers can choose any accessible seat at no additional value.

It is a noticeably totally different structure from Iberia’s A321XLR business-class cabin, the place all passengers take pleasure in direct aisle entry however face away from the home windows.

In Aer Lingus’ A321XLR (and A321LR) structure, the throne seats are in rows 3 and 5, best for solo flyers because of direct aisle entry, huge aspect consoles, loads of storage and first rate privateness.

The commerce‑off: a narrower footwell than the paired seats.

In the event you’re touring with a companion, decide one of many paired seats in Row 2, 4 or 6 (there isn’t a Row 1); simply remember you will not each have direct‑aisle entry, and there may be little or no storage or privateness across the seat.

Provided that there are solely 4 throne seats within the 16-seat cabin, which have considerably more room, storage and privateness than the opposite seats within the cabin, I requested the cabin supervisor about their reputation.

Having operated Aer Lingus transatlantic flights for over a decade, she has noticed a noticeable shift in premium passengers because of the COVID-19 pandemic. With extra {couples} now touring collectively for leisure and fewer solo enterprise vacationers, having extra couple seats than solo seats looks as if the fitting steadiness for the airline.

All business-class seats are 22 inches vast, with 46 to 47 inches of pitch, and convert to lie-flat beds which are 77 inches lengthy.

The additional-large overhead bins present loads of cupboard space for cabin luggage.

Aer Lingus business-class meals and facilities

Aer Lingus business-class passengers obtain amenity kits stocked with skincare from Irish model Jo Browne.

You may discover an 18‑inch 4K display with Bluetooth audio, plus common AC, USB‑A and USB‑C energy retailers. Dozens of latest films can be found, together with “Depraved,” “Paddington in Peru” and “A Working Man.”

The A321XLR additionally has complimentary, limitless Wi‑Fi for enterprise‑class prospects, although speeds are sluggish — below 5Mbps obtain and 1Mbps add. For economic system passengers, packages begin at 3.49 euros ($4) for one hour of messaging and go as much as 20.49 euros ($24) for full-flight searching.

Aer Lingus serves Jean Pernet Custom Brut N.V. Champagne and a enjoyable number of premixed cocktails as a part of its beverage choice.

That is adopted by multicourse meals served from the galley on actual china with steel cutlery. On my flight to Minneapolis, there was a selection of three entrees:

• A six-hour braised blade of beef
• Pores and skin-on thyme and parsley rooster supreme
• Aromatic, delicate Thai inexperienced curry

Snacks are additionally accessible between meal providers.

Financial system seats and expertise

Aer Lingus doesn’t at present have premium economic system seats on any plane.

In economic system, the A321XLR’s 3‑3 cabin structure feels fashionable and has superior tech over the A321LR model. Each seat has a 12‑inch 4K display with Bluetooth pairing functionality and twin‑USB energy retailers, whereas the A321LR fleet has smaller 9-inch HD screens, no Bluetooth and solely USB-A charging ports.

Two AC retailers are shared amongst three seats.

The seats are 18 inches vast, and the pitch varies by row. The airline has squeezed as many seats on board as attainable, from a good 30.5 inches in rows 16-21 (all seats) and 22-34 ABC to accommodate the additional rear bathroom to an industry-standard 32 inches in rows 7-13 (all seats) and 22-34 DEF.

There aren’t many airways that provide totally different legroom relying on which aspect of the aisle you sit on. If attainable, attempt to sit on the fitting aspect of the plane in economic system.

Ideally, purpose for the bulkhead in Row 7 or exit-row seats in rows 14 and 15 for 35 inches of legroom.

Aer Lingus presents sizzling meals (with an entree selection of rooster and potatoes or vegetarian pasta on my flight to Dublin) with sides like Greek salad and cheese mousse with blended berries, and complimentary drinks in economic system class with the primary meal. A light-weight boxed snack is served earlier than touchdown.

Water and lightweight snacks can be found on request whereas in flight.

In the event you can efficiently navigate the totally different ranges of legroom, economic system on the A321XLR has higher tech than the airline’s wide-body plane, which may make for a extra pleasurable passenger expertise. The seatback screens are 2 inches bigger than on the wide-body A330s, and Bluetooth audio connections and USB-C charging can be found on the A321XLR.

Bogs for each cabins

One full-size toilet is devoted to enterprise class, positioned by the galley on the very entrance of the plane.

In economic system, there are three toilets on the rear of the plane, serving 168 passengers. Whereas one behind the final row of seating is similar measurement because the business-class toilet, the 2 on the again wall of the plane can solely be described as uncomfortably tight. There may be barely sufficient area to sit down down, and they’re much smaller than the toilets I’ve seen on wide-body plane.

Learn how to e-book the Aer Lingus Airbus A321XLR with factors and miles

Reserving economic system awards with Avios by British Airways Membership or Aer Lingus AerClub is usually a first rate candy spot.

You may want simply 13,000 Avios on off-peak dates or 20,000 Avios on peak dates plus about $123 in charges, taxes and surcharges one-way from MSP to DUB and round $154 from DUB to MSP. Money fares in economic system could be discovered for as little as $500 round-trip in the course of the interval of low demand, which might not be an effective way to redeem Avios given the excessive surcharges payable; nevertheless, subsequent summer time, with money fares as excessive as $1,600 round-trip on this route, redeeming 40,000 Avios plus round $277 in charges, taxes and surcharges could be a wise redemption.

Different Aer Lingus A321XLR routes, resembling from IND, BNA and BDL to DUB, have the identical peak and off-peak Avios pricing.

You possibly can convert all main bank card currencies to Avios and use the improved switch software to simply transfer Avios between the seven airline loyalty applications that use this forex.

For enterprise class, Alaska Airways’ Atmos Rewards program is an effective way to e-book shorter flights of three,500 miles or much less in size from the East Coast to Eire, beginning at simply 45,000 Atmos Rewards factors plus solely $19 in charges and taxes one-way. Flights over 3,500 miles in size, resembling from MSP to DUB on the A321XLR, begin at 55,000 Atmos Rewards factors plus $19 in charges and taxes one-way. Taxes and charges from DUB to MSP are barely larger at round $59 one-way, although nonetheless a lot decrease than departing from the close by United Kingdom, the place you will have to pay the Air Passenger Obligation, so think about flying out of Eire subsequent time you are coming back from Europe.

Associated: Learn how to earn Alaska Airways Atmos Rewards factors

Backside line

Aer Lingus’ Airbus A321XLR does what it was designed for: working transatlantic routes that do not require wide-body jets whereas nonetheless providing lie-flat enterprise class and an up to date economic system expertise. Solo vacationers in enterprise class will recognize the privateness of throne seats, whereas {couples} could favor the paired seats.

Financial system passengers profit from seatback leisure, energy retailers at each seat and the comfort of Dublin’s U.S. preclearance, although some seats have tight legroom. Better of all, you’ll be able to e-book this for low charges in economic system class with Avios or enterprise class with Atmos Rewards factors.

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