United Airlines’ First Airbus A321XLR Delivery Delayed… Again

United Airlines has confirmed yet another delay in the delivery of its eagerly awaited Airbus A321XLR. It has been reported that the first delivery, originally expected in January 2026, has now been pushed to Summer 2026 following certification challenges and production setbacks at Airbus.

Let’s go over what we know, what this means for United, and how this fits into the broader landscape of U.S. carriers betting big on Airbus’ next-gen single-aisle jet.

United placed its order for 50 Airbus A321XLRs in 2019 to replace its aging Boeing 757s and support expansion into thinner long-haul markets. Initial deliveries were targeted for 2024, then pushed to early 2026. Now, United has confirmed that no deliveries are expected before mid-2026.

The delay was announced during United’s Q2 2025 earnings call, and stems largely from ongoing certification delays, especially concerning the additional fuel tanks and new emergency evacuation requirements. Airbus also continues to face supply chain disruptions and engine delivery issues, particularly with Pratt & Whitney.

United had expected to have at least 12 A321XLRs in service by 2026, but that milestone is now in doubt. While delays in aircraft programs are hardly new, this second major slip confirms United won't be among the first to launch XLR service, losing valuable lead time over competitors.

Aging 757s, No Replacement in Sight: The A321XLR was intended to begin phasing out United’s aging Boeing 757s, many of which are over 25 years old. The delay means continued reliance on aircraft that are inefficient and less competitive in the passenger experience department.

Network Impact: The A321XLR was expected to unlock new routes out of Newark to smaller European and North African cities — markets that don’t need a widebody but still demand transatlantic range. With the delay, United’s transatlantic flexibility remains limited, and expansion plans are once again on hold.

Competitor Pressure: JetBlue is already flying the A321LR to London and Paris with solid reviews, while American Airlines expects to take delivery of its first A321XLR in 2025. The clock is ticking, and United risks falling behind in the premium narrowbody race.

Industry-Wide Delays: Other major carriers, including Air Canada, Qantas, and Wizz Air, are also facing A321XLR delivery delays. But for United, which has been especially vocal about international growth from the East Coast, this setback feels especially costly.

With a range of up to 4,700 nautical miles, the A321XLR fills a critical gap in United’s fleet — connecting secondary markets to Europe and Latin America where widebodies are too large, but traditional narrowbodies can’t reach.

Key planned features:

True Polaris lie-flat business class

Premium Plus cabin

Economy Plus and standard economy

This premium-heavy configuration is designed to deliver a widebody-like experience in a narrowbody footprint, especially on 6–8 hour transatlantic routes.

United A321XLRs Coming 2026 With New Polaris Seats, Premium Plus

During the airline’s Q2 2025 earnings call , United confirmed the new delivery estimate of Summer 2026. There were no additional updates on configuration or revised route launch timelines, though the airline reiterated its commitment to the A321XLR program as central to its future international network.

United’s first A321XLR delivery has officially been pushed back to mid 2026. While this isn’t unexpected given the industry-wide hold-ups, it’s still a setback.

United’s long-term transatlantic vision depends in part on the flexibility and efficiency that the A321XLR promises, and every month of delay means missed opportunity, especially as competitors move forward with their own narrowbody long-haul plans.