SAS' first A321LR to enter its long-haul fleet
The first of three new A321LRs, a narrow-bodied aircraft suited for longer distances, will enter into service in the SAS fleet on 18th September 2020.
Copyright Airbus
The new aircraft is equipped with a service concept with three travel classes, similar to the rest of SAS’ long-haul fleet and will increase SAS’ flexibility to meet Scandinavian travel patterns. The new aircraft, part of SAS’ ongoing fleet renewal, is expected to reduce climate-impacting emissions by 15-18 percent in comparison to previous generations of similar aircraft.
The Airbus A321LR is a narrow-body, single aisle aircraft, specially configured to fly longer distances than a standard A321neo. The smaller aircraft gives SAS the opportunity to fill the aircraft on new routes and will be a welcome addition to the SAS long haul fleet. The A321LR will increase the SAS’ flexibility to adjust to changes in the demand for new routes and destinations.
Karl Sandlund, EVP & Chief Commercial Officer, said: “This is an entirely new aircraft type for SAS, which is incredibly well suited to the Scandinavian market and emerging travel patterns to and from the region. It gives SAS an opportunity to offer travelers more intercontinental routes, fewer stopovers and shorter travel times to and from Scandinavia. The new aircraft is equipped with a service concept at par with the rest of SAS’ long-haul fleet, offering passengers all the benefits, level of comfort and choices of our traveling classes.”
The aircraft has 22 Business, 12 Plus and 123 Go, meaning a total of 157 seats in a single aisle aircraft. The seats are especially chosen for the A321LR to optimise the comfort in all three cabin classes to meet the expectations of frequent travelers.
The A321LR is part of the latest generation of aircraft and is expected to reduce climate-impacting emissions by around the same amount as when SAS introduced the A320neo, whose carbon footprint is approximately 15-18 percent smaller than an equivalent size aircraft from the previous generation.
Sandlund said: “Reducing the carbon footprint in the airline industry is crucial and SAS aims to lead the way toward sustainable travel. We have set a target of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 25% by 2030. The ongoing fleet renewal, including new long haul aircraft, is an investment toward more sustainable aviation.”
The first A321LR will enter into service on 18th September 2020 and will operate on will be Copenhagen-Boston route. This means that the route will become a year-round destination served on a high frequency basis and will further strengthen SAS’ offering to the North Americas.
New routes will be announced in 2020. The aircraft has sufficient range to reach northeast US and it can also reach destinations in Canada, the Middle East and India from Scandinavia.