By Bjorn Fehrm

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Introduction

March 26, 2020, © Leeham News: We are checking if the Airbus A321XLR is usable for trans-Oceanic routes. It's a credible trans-Atlantic aircraft, but can it be used effectively over the Pacific Ocean as well?

Last week we found a one-stop routing that worked. Now we compare the economics of flying the A321XLR on a one-stop route versus a longer-range aircraft like the Airbus A330-900 non-stop.

Summary:

• The A330-900 covers our US West Coast to Japan trip in almost half the time of our single-aisle route over Honolulu.
• Will it also have a lower per-seat cost? We find out using our airliner operating cost model.