Air TransportIberia debuts A321XLR on regular flight to Santo Domingo
Iberia operated the first regular passenger flight of the Airbus A321XLR in Latin America and the Caribbean on October 2, with a service between Madrid and Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic). The milestone marks the entry of the long-range single-aisle jet into scheduled operations in the region.
The inaugural flight, IB263, departed from Madrid and landed in Santo Domingo after covering a distance of 6,698 kilometers, according to FlightRadar24. The route will be served twice weekly, on Thursdays and Sundays, until October 23, using the A321XLR.
The Airbus A321XLR is configured by Iberia to carry 182 passengers, distributed between 14 seats in Business class and 168 in Economy. This represents a reduction in capacity compared to the 292-seat A330-300 previously assigned to the route, reflecting a strategic adjustment to match demand while maintaining direct service.
The A321XLR features a maximum range of up to 8,700 kilometers, enabling non-stop connections between Europe and secondary destinations in the Americas. The aircraft is equipped with new-generation engines and aerodynamic improvements, resulting in approximately 30% lower fuel consumption per seat compared to earlier models.
Global launch customer for the model, Iberia currently has orders for eight A321XLRs, of which it has received four aircraft. In addition to Santo Domingo, the airline has deployed the type on transatlantic routes to Boston and Washington, with plans to introduce it on further services to the Caribbean and Brazil.
The airline has announced the A321XLR’s debut in South America on the Madrid–Recife route, scheduled for December 12, and plans to add Fortaleza from January 19, 2026.
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