International Airlines Group (IAG) has highlighted the strategic importance of the Airbus A321XLR for Aer Lingus in its Annual Report and Accounts 2025, published on 5 March 2026, positioning the A321XLR aircraft as a key driver of profitable expansion across the North Atlantic.
Aer Lingus became the second airline globally to introduce the A321XLR and the second within IAG to deploy the type. Aer Lingus currently operates a fleet of six factory-new A321XLR aircraft, with the final aircraft EI-XLX msn 12142 delivered on 30th January.
In its report, IAG underlined how the A321XLR is supporting targeted growth strategies at both Aer Lingus and Iberia stating “Both Aer Lingus and Iberia started to deploy their new A321XLR aircraft, profitably delivering growth from greater frequency, year-round services and targeting secondary destinations,” the group said.
The report also pointed to intensifying competition from North American carriers into the Irish and Spanish markets, reinforcing the strategic value of the A321XLR.
“Competitor growth into both Spain and Ireland from North America has been significant, so the ability to deploy these efficient aircraft is strategically important.”
Within the wider North Atlantic strategy, IAG said returns and margins are being driven through a combination of fleet renewal and premium capacity restoration across the group’s airlines.
“In the North Atlantic, IAG is driving returns and margins principally through the rebuilding of British Airways’ premium capacity to pre-COVID levels and through Iberia and Aer Lingus’s new A321XLR aircraft, which are already exceeding expectations from both a customer and financial standpoint.”
Image Credit: Dub Ramp
Irish Aviation Research Institute © 14 March 2026 All Rights Reserved