The European aircraft manufacturer Airbus carried out the maiden flight with the A321XLR aircraft on Wednesday. The machine with the serial number 11000 took off at 11:05 am from the Hamburg-Finkenwerder airport.

The test flight lasted around four hours and 35 minutes. The aircraft's crew consisted of test pilots Thierry Diez and Gabriel Diaz de Villegas Giron and test engineers Frank Hohmeister, Philippe Pupin and Mehdi Zeddoun. During the flight, the crew tested the aircraft's flight controls, engines and key systems, including what it called "flight envelope protection," at both high and low speeds. Commissioning is planned for early 2024.

“This is an important milestone for the A320 Family and its customers worldwide. With the entry into service of the A321XLR, airlines can offer long-haul comfort in a single aisle aircraft thanks to the unique airspace cabin. The A321XLR will open up new routes with unbeatable economics and environmental credentials,” said Philippe Mhun, Airbus EVP Programs and Services.