Saudia has welcomed its first Airbus A321XLR, becoming the first airline in the Middle East and Africa to take delivery of the extra long-range narrow-body aircraft.
With a range of up to 8,700 kilometers and a flight duration of up to nine hours, the A321XLR gives Saudia greater flexibility to operate longer international routes with the efficiency of a narrow-body aircraft.
The aircraft also marks the first delivery to feature core elements of ‘The New Saudia Experience’, Saudia’s new onboard offering focused on comfort, connectivity, entertainment, dining, and service consistency across the passenger journey.
The cabin is configured with 24 Business Class suites designed for privacy and comfort, alongside 120 Guest Class seats featuring enhanced seat design, 13-inch personal entertainment screens, and convenient charging ports to support a more comfortable passenger journey.
The aircraft will be equipped with high-speed inflight connectivity designed to support browsing, live streaming, virtual meetings, and access to major entertainment platforms.
Business Class guests will also benefit from Saudia’s inflight chef service, offering a personalised dining experience with a selection of Saudi and international cuisine.
His Excellency Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, said: “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.”
Saudia is scheduled to add 15 Airbus A321XLR aircraft to its fleet by 2027, as part of its wider fleet growth programme.
