Air India Converts 15 Airbus A321neo Orders To Long-Range A321XLR Aircraft

Air India on Thursday announced that it will convert 15 of its existing Airbus A321neo orders into the more advanced A321XLR (Extra Long Range) variant, a move aimed at strengthening its medium-haul international

network.

The decision was unveiled on the sidelines of the Wings India 2026 aviation summit in Hyderabad.

Airline officials said the conversion forms part of Air India’s large aircraft order that includes 50 wide-body A350s and 300 single-aisle aircraft from the A320 family.

Of the 300 single-aisle planes, 210 are A321neo aircraft, of which 15 will now be upgraded to the A321XLR configuration. The remaining 90 A320neo aircraft will remain unchanged, as per the original order.

Deliveries of the 15 A321XLR aircraft are scheduled between 2029 and 2030.

The A321XLR, the newest member of Airbus’s A320neo family, offers a range of up to 4,700 nautical miles (around 8,700 km). It combines long-range capability with improved fuel efficiency, lower emissions and enhanced passenger comfort.

Air India believes the aircraft’s extended range will allow it to launch new non-stop international routes and better serve high-demand, medium-haul markets, while benefiting from the lower operating costs of a single-aisle aircraft.

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said the conversion aligns with the airline’s long-term transformation strategy.

“As we rapidly modernise our existing fleet with new and upgraded aircraft, we are also thoughtfully shaping our future fleet to meet the evolving needs of travellers to and from India,” he said. “Our strong partnership with Airbus continues to support this vision, with access to the latest advances in aviation.”

Air India and Airbus also share a 50:50 joint venture that established an advanced pilot training centre at the Air India training academy in Gurugram, which was inaugurated in September 2025.

Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President for Commercial Aircraft Sales at Airbus, said the A321XLR has emerged as a strong revenue driver for airlines.

“It helps boost frequencies, manage seasonality and optimise capacity on medium-haul routes. We are pleased to see Air India leveraging the XLR’s range and efficiency to open new opportunities and strengthen India’s global connectivity,” he said.