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By Bjorn Fehrm

August 31, 2023, © Leeham News: The advertised range of 4,700nm for Airbus' A321XLR enables true trans-Atlantic single-aisle routes that can originate inland both in the US and in Europe. It was, therefore, worrying when EASA and FAA demanded that Airbus add extra fire protection in the area where the new center tank is placed, the tank that enables the longer range.

Extra fire protection increases the empty weight, which has an impact on range. How much is lost, and what can Airbus do about it? We model the range shortfall and possible fixes with our Aircraft Performance and Cost model.

Figure 1. The Airbus A321XLR. Source: Airbus.

Summary:

• The A321XLR is the first trans-Atlantic single-aisle airliner that can fly further than coast to coast between the US and Europe.
• The range shortfall from the rumored weight increases is less than written about but still troublesome.