Air India has converted 15 of its current orders for Airbus A321neo aircraft to the extra-long range variant, the A321XLR.
The conversion was announced during civil aviation event Wings India 2026.
The conversion is part of Air India's order with Airbus in 2023 with an addition in 2024, comprising a total of 50 A350s and 300 A320 family aircraft.
Of the 300 single-aisle aircraft, this conversion to A321XLR applies to 15 of 210 A321neo aircraft ordered. The remaining 90 A320neo remain as originally structured.
The airline said the extra range from conversions will allow it to open new non-stop international routes and optimise high-demand, medium-haul international services on single-aisle aircraft.
“While we transform our current fleet at an accelerated pace with new and retrofitted aircraft, we are also carefully building our future fleet that, with scale and versatility, serves the rapidly evolving needs of travellers from and to India,” said Air India CEO and managing director Campbell Wilson.
“The A321XLR is proving to be a revenue generator by boosting frequencies, managing seasonality, and optimising capacity on medium-haul routes," said Airbus EVP of commercial aircraft sales Benoit de Saint-Exupery. "We are pleased to see Air India using the XLR’s efficiency and range to open new opportunities and strengthen India's connections with the rest of the world.”
Deliveries of the 15 A321XLR are expected between 2029 and 2030.