Advancements in flight-testing for the A321XLR accelerate significantly
Airbus A321XLR Flight Test Campaign Gains Momentum
The Airbus A321XLR, a long-range version of the popular A321neo, is making significant strides in its flight test campaign. Gary O'Donnell, Head of the A321XLR programme, expects the three flight test aircraft to be actively flying by the fourth quarter of this year.
The first of these aircraft, FTV1 (MSN11000), has already completed several key tests. It has flown through the flight-envelope opening, flight control laws clearance, rotation law evaluation, and angle-of-attack (AOA) protection tuning. High-speed performance flights, anemometry calibration, fuel and landing gear system ground testing, and some autopilot tests are also under its belt.
One notable change on the A321XLR is the simpler single-slotted inboard flap system, an electronically signalled "e-Rudder", and uprated landing gear, wheels, and brakes. This inboard flap system has been retrofitted into MSN6839, making it aerodynamically equivalent to the A321XLR once the landing gear is retracted.
Two more prototypes of the A321XLR development aircraft are in advanced stages of manufacture and will join the certification flight-test campaign. There will be a total of four flight test aircraft in the A321XLR development programme, with an upgraded regular A321neo - MSN6839 also participating.
The third new-build aircraft, FTV3 (MSN11080), will focus more on maturity testing of the passenger cabin interior elements and route-proving for customers. MSN6839 has performed 'velocity minimum unstick' (VMU) tests, which determine operational takeoff speeds for airline pilots.
The certification flight-test program itself would have preceded the delivery milestone, with Airbus completing type certification before deliveries started. However, the specific flight-test campaign dates, duration, or number of flight test aircraft are not explicitly mentioned in the search results. The first A321XLR delivery to American Airlines was scheduled for July 29, 2025, marking a major step forward in the program.
However, the aircraft is currently stored in Czechia awaiting certified cabin seats due to a global shortage of interior components, which delays putting the plane into active service. Regarding the number of flight test aircraft involved in the A321XLR certification program, no direct data is found in the search results.
The global flight testing for the A321XLR will be fully underway once the development aircraft are all flying. Jean-Philippe Cottet, head of Flight Tests, mentions that they are certifying the two engine types in parallel on the A321XLR in the same timescale, which is a first in Airbus' history.
FTV1 and FTV2 will focus on the aircraft's technical systems, updated flight controls, handling, and performance, with the only major physical difference being their respective engine type. FTV3 will showcase the A321XLR's interior and demonstrate the aircraft's operation on the expected route scenarios for its customers, including demanding ones to validate the aircraft's operation at the extremities of take-off weights, range, runway constraints, ground temperatures, and weather conditions.
Airbus is building its full industrial system, including all jigs, tools, and processes, not only in every involved Airbus factory but also in those of its extended industrial chain and at suppliers around the world. The new water & waste system and the new fuel system elements associated with the integral Rear-Centre-Tank are major non-flight-physics-related systems introduced on the A321XLR.
In summary, the Airbus A321XLR flight test campaign is progressing, with the first three aircraft expected to fly by the end of the year. The first delivery to American Airlines is scheduled for July 29, 2025, but the aircraft is currently stored due to a lack of certified cabin seats. The exact number of flight test aircraft and the specific flight-test campaign dates are not yet detailed.
The flight test campaign for the Airbus A321XLR has entered a phase where multiple aircraft are actively involved, with the first three flight test aircraft including FTV1 and FTV2, which are focusing on the aircraft's technical systems and performance. Meanwhile, the finance sector may be closely following the progress of this industry-defining aerospace project, as the first delivery to American Airlines is scheduled for July 29, 2025.
