The fourth Aer Lingus A321XLR, registered as EI-XLU and named Saint Sarnáit, has arrived in Dublin from Hamburg. The aircraft, intended to bolster the airline’s transatlantic network, was part of a scheduled delivery that has faced repeated delays.
The Saint Sarnait, one of six A321XLRs ordered by Aer Lingus, is designed to transform the airline’s long-haul operations with its extended range of 8,700 kilometres, allowing for more efficient and cost-effective flights to North America and brining destinations as far as San Diego and Mexico City into range .
The aircraft, configured with 184 seats, including 16 lie-flat business class seats and 168 economy seats, promises enhanced passenger comfort with wider seats, larger overhead bins, and quieter cabins. It also boasts up to 20pc lower fuel consumption per seat compared to previous-generation aircraft, aligning with Aer Lingus’s sustainability goals through the use of up to 50pc Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
Two A320s were also delivered this year, EI-NSG (St Dervilla / Deirbhile) in March and EI-NSH (St McCuillin / McCuilinn) on July 31. This brings the total Aer Lingus fleet to 60.
Aer Lingus hinitially celebrated the arrival of its first two A321XLRs, EI-XLR (St Lelia/Liadhain) and EI-XLT (St Melanie/Mella), in December 2024 followed by EI-XLV (St St Fergus / Feargus) on May 16. The first two aircraft entered service on the Dublin to Washington Dulles route in late December, supporting new transatlantic routes to Nashville and Indianapolis set for 2025.
Saint Sarnait was initially expected to align with the airline’s summer 2025 schedule. The aircraft is expected to enter service in the coming weeks.
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