Narrowbody aircraft have long been deployed primarily on short and medium-haul routes due to their range limitations. While their capacity and range have proven the perfect combo on such networks, newer narrowbodies are stretching the limits of the category in terms of their maximum distance. For example, the newly debuted Airbus A321XLR adds an extra 1,500NM of range compared to the A321ceo, opening up previously inaccessible destinations to operators of narrowbody aircraft.
A similar boost in range can be found on the newest Boeing 737 series aircraft, the 737 MAX. Looking at data from aviation analytics firm Cirium for this year, several European operators will be flying narrowbody routes exceeding 3,300 NM this year. As you would expect, the A321neo and 737 MAX feature heavily in this list, although there are a couple of surprise entries at the end.
1 TUIfly Nordic Helsinki to Cape Verde, 737 MAX 8 TUIfly Nordic's two longest narrowbody routes are from Helsinki (HEL) to two airports in Cape Verde - Aristides Pereira (BVC) and Amílcar Cabral International (SID). At 3,356 NM (6,215 km), the longest is to Aristides Pereira Airport, which is located on the island of Boa Vista, famed for its beaches. Helsinki to Amílcar Cabral International measures in at 3,325 NM (6,158 km).
Located on the island of Sal, this is Cape Verde's busiest airport accommodating a wider network of flights, also primarily from European airports. Want to know more about the 737 MAX's range: Check o.
