General Atomics

Official publication of ADS

logo-side-nav-footer

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.
Aerospace

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.
 

Aerospace

Related

Doncaster Sheffield Airport orders multimillion-pound RTX radar ahead of reopening
DSA runway.
Doncaster Sheffield Airport orders multimillion-pound RTX radar ahead of reopening
This significant investment in new radar technology marks an important step in the development of the airport's infrastructure prior to its planned reopening.
Aerospace Member News

13 Aug 2026

Who pays for Heathrow’s third runway before it is built?
Heathrow third runway
Who pays for Heathrow’s third runway before it is built?
Heathrow can recover up to £320m in early third runway costs through airport charges. Here’s who pays and what happens if the expansion is cancelled.
Aerospace Most Read

13 Aug 2026

Extreme space weather could disrupt flights and damage aircraft systems, study warns
The sun earth connection
Extreme space weather could disrupt flights and damage aircraft systems, study warns
University of Surrey researchers warn that extreme space weather could increase radiation exposure and trigger faults in aircraft electronics.
Aerospace Most Read Space

12 Aug 2026

Putin warns Russia could seize British ships amid ‘shadow fleet’ crackdown
A Royal Navy-operated Merlin HM4 hovers over the deck of the sanctioned Cameroonian-flagged crude oil tanker and suspected Russian 'shadow fleet' vessel, Smyrtos, during a maritime interdiction mission to seize the vessel on 14 June 2026. Image: MOD Crown Copyright/Royal Navy
Putin warns Russia could seize British ships amid ‘shadow fleet’ crackdown
Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to retaliate against British and Western commercial vessels after the UK seized a Russian ‘shadow fleet’ tanker, further escalating tensions over sanctions and maritime security.
Defence Most Read

13 Aug 2026

Royal Navy proves quantum timing can sustain radar networks without GNSS
aab UK, Aquark Technologies and Royal Navy Disruptive Capabilities and Technologies Office (DCTO) have successfully completed a UK trial showing how a military radar network can continue operating without GPS timing.
Royal Navy proves quantum timing can sustain radar networks without GNSS
A Royal Navy trial has shown how quantum timing can keep separate military radars synchronised and sharing an accurate air picture without GPS timing.
Defence Most Read

13 Aug 2026

StandardAero wins major UK role building engines for New Medium Helicopter
Leonardo AW149 flying at sunset
StandardAero wins major UK role building engines for New Medium Helicopter
StandardAero’s Gosport facility will build, maintain and overhaul the engines for Britain’s new AW149 helicopter fleet, securing a significant UK workshare in the New Medium Helicopter programme and opening the door to future export work.
Defence Member News Most Read

13 Aug 2026

MDA Space opens CHORUS Control Centre
Chorus: generated image.
MDA Space opens CHORUS Control Centre
With the opening of its new control centre, MDA Space has moved closer to operational readiness ahead of the launch of its CHORUS satellite constellation later this year.
Member News Space

13 Aug 2026

Intuitive Machines completes acquisition of Goonhilly and COMSAT
Ground station.
Intuitive Machines completes acquisition of Goonhilly and COMSAT
Intuitive Machines’ integrated ground-to-space network is set to be enhanced by the ground station assets and competencies at Goonhilly, which will remain a UK entity and gain expanded resources, technologies and global reach.
Member News Space

13 Aug 2026

Extreme space weather could disrupt flights and damage aircraft systems, study warns
The sun earth connection
Extreme space weather could disrupt flights and damage aircraft systems, study warns
University of Surrey researchers warn that extreme space weather could increase radiation exposure and trigger faults in aircraft electronics.
Aerospace Most Read Space

12 Aug 2026

UK manufacturers found to be facing extensive cyber threats
Manufacturing cyber security.
UK manufacturers found to be facing extensive cyber threats
A new report from Make UK outlines the true extent of the risks of cyber attacks faced by manufacturing businesses across Britain.
Security

12 Aug 2026

How the Royal Navy is developing its next-generation mine hunting capability
Mines float on the waves in the sea 3d illustration
How the Royal Navy is developing its next-generation mine hunting capability
A major collaborative effort to design and implement an innovative test of UK underwater mine countermeasures is set to inform and enhance future operations.
Defence Security

12 Aug 2026

AXA XL’s S-RM acquisition puts UK manufacturing cyber resilience in focus
IT technician checks cyber security in the office
AXA XL’s S-RM acquisition puts UK manufacturing cyber resilience in focus
AXA XL’s acquisition of UK cyber consultancy S-RM comes as manufacturers face growing pressure to strengthen prevention, incident response and supply chain resilience.
Security

11 Aug 2026