Record Breaking A321XLR Flights To Launch

The Airbus A321XLR is changing the game for many airlines. At La Compagnie, the jet is seen as the next generation of ultra-long-haul flying, and the plans involve breaking records.

With routes from Western Europe to the US West Coast and even to the Indian Ocean, this all-business French boutique airline aims to use the XLR to push the boundaries further.

The La Compagnie Network

La Compagnie operates a small but highly focused network at the moment, using A321LR jets, each configured in a 76-seat business-class layout, which means its core routes are very specialised.

Paris Orly to Newark is operated up to six times a week in the winter, with the airline offering Milan Malpensa to Newark as its longest route at just over 4,000 miles and the world’s longest nonstop A321 flight.

Flights from Nice and Newark have also been possible for the business, putting it yet again at the top of the table for A321 flights, with the range capabilities absolutely pushed to the limit.

These flights really do push the limits of the A321LR; however, the low-density layout selected by La Compagnie means it can access a longer range than typical A321 operators, who have a higher-density configuration.

What The A321XLR Will Do

La Compagnie is expected to push the boundaries of single-aisle jets even beyond what has been possible with the A321LR thanks to the upcoming arrival of its new flagship, the A321XLR.

However, with the industry facing ongoing delays, this has hit the company directly, just like IndiGo with its XLR jets. Initially, the third A321 was scheduled to enter service, but it won’t be delivered until February 2027. For the XLR, this won’t be received until 2028.

With the A321XLR range of around 4,700 nautical miles (8,700km), the extra fuel tanks and higher maximum takeoff weight mean the jet is designed to fly much further than the LR and base models. In practice, this means the lighter business-class layout can really push the range on this jet compared to airlines carrying 200+ on the platform.

La Compagnie’s leadership believes that, despite the XLR delays, the jet is a good fit for its model and will open routes that were previously impossible, allowing it to redefine nonstop flying on a single-aisle jet.

Nonstop flying from Paris or Milan to the US West Coast, such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, flagged by The Flight Club, would not be out of the realm of possibilities. All options are being made available, and, as per the airline’s routes, no one else will be able to do so.

Eastbound missions are also on the table with the potential to reach deep into Asia with a single-aisle jet configured as a business aircraft. In range terms, the A321XLR will push the boundaries and eclipse what has been possible with the A321LR.