General Atomics

EASA certifies Airbus A321XLR powered by Pratt & Whitney

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued the Type Certificate for the Airbus A321XLR powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines.

Above: A321XLR Test Aircraft powered by Pratt&Whitney engines taking off.
© Airbus Operations GmbH 2022


This follows the certification of the CFM LEAP-1A powered A321XLR in July 2024 and paves the way for the first customer aircraft with Pratt & Whitney engines to enter into service later this year.  

Christian Scherer, CEO Commercial Aircraft at Airbus said: "The A321XLR already displays its great versatility crossing the Atlantic in daily operations. With the certification and entry-into-service of the GTF-powered A321XLR we will see more operators introduce this game changing aircraft. It is also good news for our customers’ passengers who will benefit from the convenience of new direct city to city connections with a heightened level of cabin comfort.”

The first A321XLR completed its maiden flight in June 2022. This was followed by an extensive test programme involving three test aircraft. In 2024, the A321XLR entered into service and so far more than 500 Airbus A321XLRs have been ordered.
 

Related

Manufacturers warn Government over UK steel import tariffs
UK steel manufacturing
Manufacturers warn Government over UK steel import tariffs
As a petition highlighting the negative impact of Government-imposed steel import tariffs on UK manufacturing surpasses 10,000 signatures, industry calls for an urgent review.
UK airport reliability ranked: Heathrow leads globally while Manchester is near the bottom
Heathrow Airport, British Airways Airbus A380 engine, Feb 2015
UK airport reliability ranked: Heathrow leads globally while Manchester is near the bottom
A new study ranks Heathrow as the UK's most reliable airport, with Edinburgh ahead of Gatwick and Stansted, and Manchester near the bottom globally.
Aerospace

5 Aug 2026

Gatwick Northern Runway expansion clears Court of Appeal challenge
Gatwick Airport
Gatwick Northern Runway expansion clears Court of Appeal challenge
London Gatwick’s plans to bring its existing Northern Runway into routine…
Aerospace Most Read

5 Aug 2026

Manufacturers warn Government over UK steel import tariffs
UK steel manufacturing
Manufacturers warn Government over UK steel import tariffs
As a petition highlighting the negative impact of Government-imposed steel import tariffs on UK manufacturing surpasses 10,000 signatures, industry calls for an urgent review.
BAE Systems to maintain Royal Navy torpedoes
Spearfish
BAE Systems to maintain Royal Navy torpedoes
A new £135 million contract to has been awarded to BAE Systems to maintain and repair Royal Navy torpedo weapons.
Defence Member News

5 Aug 2026

Tempest demonstrator in final assembly ahead of planned first flight in 2027
The bulbous central fuselage section of BAE Systems' CAFD demonstrator is seen underway at the firm's facility in Samlesbury, Lancashire, in July 2026. Image: BAE Systems
Tempest demonstrator in final assembly ahead of planned first flight in 2027
BAE Systems' new Tempest prototype, otherwise known as the Combat Air Flying Demonstrator (CAFD), has passed the halfway point in final assembly, with its rollout and first flight remaining on track for 2027.
SSTL racks up smart storage solution
SSTL racks up smart storage solution
A smart racking solution from Altus has helped Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) integrate its materials management processes.
Member News Space

5 Aug 2026

Seraphim Space deploys first capital from £137m C share raise
Seraphim Space deploys first capital from £137m C share raise
The investments have been made in businesses involved in key areas that are driving the next phase of growth within the space sector.
Member News Space

4 Aug 2026

AccelerComm underpins Eclipse Space’s 5G physical layer for satellite constellations
UK From Space-Telecom
AccelerComm underpins Eclipse Space’s 5G physical layer for satellite constellations
Flight-proven 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) tech from Southampton based AccelerComm, is supporting a scalable direct-to-device and broadband architecture from Starlink veterans behind Eclipse Space.
Member News Space

31 Jul 2026

Manufacturers warn Government over UK steel import tariffs
UK steel manufacturing
Manufacturers warn Government over UK steel import tariffs
As a petition highlighting the negative impact of Government-imposed steel import tariffs on UK manufacturing surpasses 10,000 signatures, industry calls for an urgent review.
UK AISI test exposes AI agent’s attempt to plant malicious code
Lockheed martin cybersecurity
UK AISI test exposes AI agent’s attempt to plant malicious code
The UK’s AI Security Institute uncovered unexpectedly autonomous and deceptive behaviour during a cyber evaluation, including an attempted attack on open-source software.
Most Read Security

5 Aug 2026

CAA explores future for BVLOS drone ops
Amazon PrimeAir MK30 drone
CAA explores future for BVLOS drone ops
A new report from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) outlines a vision for enabling routine Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) commercial drone operations alongside existing UK airspace users.
Aerospace Security

3 Aug 2026