A New Era for Saudia’s Long-Haul Fleet
Saudia, Saudi Arabia’s national flag carrier, has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR aircraft — making it the first airline in the Middle East and Africa to operate Airbus’ newest extra-long-range single-aisle aircraft. The aircraft, bearing registration code HZ-ASBA, arrived at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah (JED) on May 24, 2026, after completing its delivery flight from Toulouse.
The A321XLR is a landmark addition to Saudia’s fleet. With a range of up to 4,700 nautical miles (8,700 km), it bridges the gap between short-haul efficiency and long-haul comfort — enabling the airline to serve routes where demand may not justify larger wide-body jets while still offering a premium passenger experience.
A Premium Cabin Experience
Saudia’s A321XLRs are configured in a two-class layout with just 144 seats — one of the most premium A321XLR setups in the sky. The cabin includes:
- 24 Business Class suites — Thompson Aero Seating VantageSOLO hard-shell lie-flat seats in a 1-1 layout with direct aisle access. First-row seats offer additional space.
- 120 Economy Class seats — featuring 13-inch 4K entertainment screens with high-speed Wi-Fi for streaming and virtual meetings.
Business Class guests also benefit from a dedicated in-flight chef and curated Saudi-international menus, elevating the dining experience at 35,000 feet.
Expanding Europe’s Reach from the Gulf
The A321XLR will enter service from early June 2026, with initial routes from both Jeddah and Riyadh. According to the flight programme:
- June 3, 2026 — First flight: Madrid (MAD)
- Followed by Geneva (GVA), Vienna (VIE), and Paris (CDG)
- July 2026 — Maldives (MLE)
- August 2026 — Madrid continues, Barcelona (BCN) added
- Also serving domestic routes between Jeddah and Riyadh
A Growing Fleet for Vision 2030
The first aircraft is the first of 15 A321XLRs ordered from Airbus in 2019 — part of a larger agreement for 30 A321neo-family aircraft. The remaining 14 units are scheduled for delivery through 2027.
This milestone is a direct reflection of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative — the Kingdom’s push to become a global tourism and connectivity hub ahead of the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Saudia currently operates 149 aircraft and has 62 standard A321neo aircraft still on order alongside the XLR fleet.
All A321XLRs are powered by CFM International LEAP-1A engines, recognised for their fuel efficiency and reliability.
