Summary Frontier Airlines canceled its plans for the Airbus A321XLR due to performance concerns. Even though the aircraft offers extended range and efficiency, it did not meet Frontier's expectations. The airline has since doubled down on the A321neo, which has less range.
Ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) Frontier Airlines announced last week that it had canceled its plans to acquire the highly anticipated Airbus A321XLR . The move was a major shakeup as the aircraft type is expected to be a game changer, with more than 500 orders from over 20 airlines. However, cost-saving measures and the A321XLR not quite living up to its expectations have persuaded Frontier to drop the narrowbody jet entirely.
It has since doubled down on the A321neo, now converting nearly 20 orders that were originally for the slightly smaller A320neo. “Europe, Hawaii, and deeper into South America” The Denver-based airline’s interest in the A321XLR came about in June 2019 when it announced that its existing order for 18 A320neos would be converted. In its announcement, the carrier’s President and CEO, Barry Biffle, said the A321XLR would allow it “to offer coast-to-cost service and explore exciting international and domestic opportunities, such as Hawaii.
” The A321XLR, which is the latest evolution of the A320neo family of aircraft, will offer an unprecedented extended range – hence its name. Airbus anticipates that it will be capable of flying up to 4,700 nautical miles while reducing fuel c.