Saudia is doing something different compared with its peers in the Middle East. It is the first Airbus A321XLR in the region. This is a unique choice, and let’s dive into the reasons why the airline has chosen this aircraft.
In this post:
- Saudia: the First Middle Eastern A321XLR
- Akin to The Etihad A321LR Configuration
- Why Does The A321XLR Fit in With Saudia’s operations?
- Another Step in The Saudia Brand Evolution
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Saudia: the First Middle Eastern A321XLR
Fair enough, Etihad already operates the A321LR, however, there there are still no operators of the A321XLR in the region.
It seemed like there was no space in the market for this aircraft type. However, something is changing, as Saudia has become the first middle eastern airline to fly the A321XLR.
HZ-ASBA, is the first Aircraft of the type to be delivered to the airline, and it will be the first of 15 A321XLR to join the Saudia fleet.
Deliveries are expected to be completed by 2027, with all 15 aircraft then operating for Saudia.
Akin to The Etihad A321LR Configuration
Obviously you don’t order an Airbus A321XLR and deploy it on short-range routes. You’re gonna be looking to utilize it to its maximum potential on thin and long routes.
Therefore, the configuration will need to have a long-haul-optimized business class cabin, and that’s what Saudia is doing with the aircraft. Exactly as Etihad did with its A321LR, Saudia is placing in the forward section of the aircraft a 1-1 business class suite configuration.
| Class | Seats | Configuration |
|---|---|---|
| Business Class | 24 | 1-1 |
| Economy Class | 120 | 3-3 |
Now as a passenger and as a former flight attendant, the A321XLR doesn’t seem like a fantastic deal. You get less space, a bumpier ride, and fewer amenities than you do on a wide-body aircraft while still paying the exact same price.
In economy class, service is much slower because cabin crew have less space to work and a higher passenger-to-crew ratio than you usually see on wide-body aircraft.
However, unfortunately, just as we see in the world with a lot of AI, this is a trend in aviation that seems to be here to stay.
Why Does The A321XLR Fit in With Saudia?
So why does the Airbus A321XLR fit in with Saudia, while it doesn’t with airlines such as Qatar Airways, Emirates and even Etihad?
The answer, as far as I’m concerned, is that it revolves completely around passenger volumes.
Qatar Airways and Emirates handle such high volumes of passengers on long-haul routes, an aircraft such as the A321XLR just doesn’t meet the operational needs.
Etihad is a different case. It is somewhere in between with Saudia, Emirates, and Qatar Airways. Therefore, it still sees some utility for an A321. However, the XLR is not a fit, as on long-haul destinations the volumes are still high enough to operate a wide-body aircraft, even if a small one such as a Dreamliner.
Saudia doesn’t have the luxury of those high volumes, and it has to make do with other operational needs which have pretty high up in the priority list: flexibility and efficiency.
The Airbus A321XLR ticks both of those boxes and will allow Saudia to operate long and thin routes or more frequent routes between Jeddah, all of Africa, all of Southeast Asia, all of Europe.
Another Step in The Saudia Brand Evolution
HZ-ASBA the first Airbus A321XLR to join the Saudia fleet is another stepping stone in the airline’s brand identity redesign. This aircraft 2 will be featuring the airline’s retro livery, which has become the standard for all aircraft in the Saudia fleet.
Saudia has been working quite hard to modernize the perception travelers have of the carrier. This aircraft, despite it being a narrow body and not the most comfortable for passengers, will come with a lot of tech that should improve somewhat the in-flight, such as:
- In-flight chef service (for business class passengers)
- High-speed inflight (all cabins)
- Charging ports at all seats
Saudia is is evolving as a carrier, as the other airline of Saudi Arabia is initiating its operations in Riyadh Air.
Saudia is the legacy carrier of the country and will continue to have a more formal outfit operating out of Jeddah, while Riyadh Air will be taking over the country’s capital and its younger, more dynamic demographic.
“The delivery of the A321XLR reflects the momentum of Saudia’s ongoing transformation. As we continue to grow our fleet, our focus is not only on adding capacity, but on investing in aircraft, products, and capabilities that strengthen Saudia’s competitiveness and support the Kingdom’s aviation ambitions. The New Saudia Experience reflects this direction, bringing together enhanced onboard products, service quality, and operational efficiency to deliver a more distinctive journey for our guests.”
His Excellency Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group