Saudi Airlines Group announced that it has received its first narrow-body, long-range Airbus “A321XLR” aircraft, which is joining its fleet for the first time and is the first of its kind among airlines in the Middle East and Africa region.
King Abdulaziz International Airport witnessed the maiden landing of Saudi Arabian Airlines' new Airbus A321XLR aircraft on Sunday. This is the first of its kind in the Middle East and Africa, and it marks the first time the aircraft has joined the Saudi Arabian Airlines fleet. The aircraft was greeted with a special water salute upon its arrival.
The A321XLR is a narrow-body aircraft with a long range of up to 8,700 km and a flight time of up to 9 hours. It features 24 private and luxurious Business Class suites and 120 Economy Class seats with numerous amenities designed for passenger comfort, such as a 13-inch screen, charging port, and state-of-the-art seats.
The upgraded cabin also boasts high-speed internet access, enabling live streaming, instant connectivity, and access to leading entertainment platforms.
According to the Saudi Group account, Saudi Airlines is scheduled to receive a total of 15 A321XLR aircraft by 2027.
This move follows the recent deal between Saudi Arabian Airlines and Airbus for the purchase of 105 firm aircraft. Through this agreement, the airline aims to contribute to the localization of the aviation sector and strengthen national supply chains to maximize economic impact and support local goods and services through substantial cumulative purchases and investments.
Airbus also continues its collaboration with Saudi suppliers to qualify them for integration into global aviation supply chains, thereby contributing to increased local content and creating investment opportunities with a sustainable economic impact.
These aircraft will contribute to achieving the national goals associated with Saudi Vision 2030 in the fields of tourism, entertainment, sports, and serving pilgrims, especially during major events scheduled for the coming years, such as the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, Expo 2030, and the 2034 FIFA World Cup, where they will help bring the world to the Kingdom in terms of organizers, participants, and visitors.
Meanwhile, the second A321XLR aircraft for Saudia Airlines leaves the final assembly line and enters the production line awaiting engine installation and the start of its final tests, and it will bear the registration HZ-ASBB.
Director General of Saudia Group, Engineer Ibrahim bin Abdulrahman Al-Omar, noted that when the largest investment in Saudia’s history was launched to enhance the guest experience, clear timelines were established for its implementation, and now the time has come to reap the rewards.
He explained that the new A321XLR model offers the comfort and service standards of wide-body aircraft in a narrow-body configuration, representing just the beginning of a package of initiatives within Saudia’s new travel experience, which will enhance and redefine the guest experience in the coming years.
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