United Airlines Airbus A321neo Completes First Flight

United Airlines first Airbus A321neo completed its first flight after departing from Hamburg Finkenwerder Airport.

Registered as N44501, the A321neo is part of a substantial commitment to the A321neo family by the major U.S. carrier, consisting of 120 units spread across the A321neo and A321XLR.

The Airbus A321XLR is slated to enter service per Airbus’ latest guidance next year and will eventually be transitioned into the United fleet. Its Xtra long range will benefit the carrier significantly in achieving long-term route goals.

first @united #A321neo on its first flight today at Airbus Hamburg, will be N44501. United has a total order of 120 A321 aircraft of which 70 will be A321neo and 50 will be A321XLR. First flight is scheduled for Dec. 14th from Chicago (ORD) to Phoenix (PHX)…@AirbusPRESS pic.twitter.com/x5hG7jjpVw
— Dirk Grothe | Aviation Photography (@digro65) September 21, 2023

United Airlines is another carrier currently being impacted by delays in delivery of new aircraft as their initial plans were to welcome a substantial number of units this calendar year; however, that won’t be able to happen now.

The first A321neo is expected to enter service this December, permitting any late changes on service to Phoenix from Chicago. All this is part of the airline’s commitment to reducing the average age of the fleet and introducing fuel-efficient aircraft to take it forward into the future.