Saudia has received its first Airbus A321XLR, becoming the first operator of the long-range narrowbody in the Middle East and Africa, according to multiple industry reports. The aircraft, registered HZ-ASBA, is the first of 15 A321XLRs ordered by the Saudi flag carrier.
The jet is configured with 144 seats, including 24 business-class suites and 120 economy-class seats. Saudia is introducing the Thompson VantageSOLO seat in business class on this fleet, offering fully flat beds with direct aisle access in a single-aisle layout. The product is similar to the latest suites used by some other international carriers on their narrowbody aircraft.
The A321XLR has an advertised range of up to 4,700 nautical miles, allowing flight times of up to around 11 hours. This opens potential routes from Saudi Arabia to much of Europe and parts of other regions using a single-aisle aircraft. Initial routes for the type are scheduled to begin in early June 2026, with tickets already on sale, according to schedule data cited by AeroRoutes.
The aircraft is expected to be used on medium- and long-haul services where demand suits a smaller-gauge jet, while still offering a lie-flat, all-aisle-access business-class experience more commonly associated with widebody cabins.