European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has delivered its first-ever A321XLR to an operator. Which one? The flag carrier of Spain, Iberia. That makes the Madrid-based airline the launch customer of Airbus’ newest single-aisle jet. The new narrowbody is powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines. It will ferry passengers on various regional routes for Iberia before taking its first commercial transatlantic flight from Madrid to Boston later this month.

The aeroplane delivered to Iberia has 182 seats in a two-class configuration. That includes lie-flat business class seats, each with direct aisle access. The twin-engined jet also boasts XL-sized overhead bins that offer 60 per cent more luggage room, in-seat connectivity and the latest lighting system.

The A321XLR (Xtra Long Range) can travel up to 4,700 nautical miles, an increase of 15 per cent over the A321LR. It burns 30 per cent less fuel per seat than the previous-gen competitor aircraft while producing less noise and CO2.

Also Read: Cebu Pacific To Strengthen Fleet With 70 New Airbus Jets

Earlier this week, British Airways marked its return to Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. Before that, the UK’s national carrier operated the London-Bangkok route in 2020. The flight that restarted service between the two capitals departed from London’s Gatwick Airport at 21:15 and landed at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport at 16:10 the next day. Both times mentioned are local.

On this route, the airline will operate three weekly services. These will increase to five per week in January and February next year. In March 2025, there will be four weekly flights on the newly reinstated route. Passengers will have a choice among three cabins – World Traveller (Economy), World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy), and Club World (Business Class). The return fares start at GBP 718.

Through British Airways’ codeshare with Bangkok Airways, travellers can find smooth connections to five holiday destinations from Bangkok. The list includes Koh Samui, Phuket and Chiang Mai in Thailand and Phnom Penh and Siem Reap in Cambodia.

Also Read: airBaltic Has Extended Its Codeshare Partnership With British Airways

Finnair has announced the completion of the interior refurbishment of an Embraer E190. The airline has twelve of these types of aircraft, which are primarily used on short-haul flights. Finland’s flag carrier uses its Embraer E190 fleet to ferry passengers across Northern and Central Europe.

The new cabin follows the same clever and clean design method the airline used on its widebody fleet. The dark blue shade, grey colours, and a touch of wooden laminate accentuate the contemporary atmosphere. The cabin features two new seat types – Business and Economy. Those spread in rows from 1 to 9 offer more comfort with enhanced cushioning and recline function. The remaining rows have seats with no recline. The count stops at 100, while the cabin’s lighting has been upgraded with LED units.

What’s more, the seats weigh less than before. Even the material used to carve out the carpet is lighter. With these tweaks, Finnair aims to reduce the aircraft’s overall weight by about 150kg. That will pay dividends in fuel economy.

Also Read: Finnair Confirms More Flights To These Cities Next Summer

UAE’s national carrier, Etihad Airways, has announced a new route to Egypt. Starting July 17, 2025, the airline will begin operating two weekly flights on Thursdays and Sundays to Al Alamein. The outbound flight – EY721 – will depart from Abu Dhabi at 09:20 and arrive in Al Alamein at 12:35. The return leg – EY722 – will leave from Al Alamein and land in the UAE’s capital at 14:15 and 19:05, respectively. All times mentioned are local. The carrier will fly a two-class Airbus A320 on the newly confirmed route, featuring eight seats in Business Class and 150 in Economy.

The direct link to Al Alamein will provide Etihad customers nonstop access to the Al Sahel region, renowned for Egypt’s most vibrant coastal retreats. The area also has beaches with clear waters and a rich historical vibe. Moreover, the historic city of Alexandria isn’t far away. All in all, everyone from leisure seekers to historians will welcome this new route from Etihad.

Also Read: Etihad Makes Changes On Two Routes In North America