Airbus announced that on February 13, 2018 its long-range aircraft A321LR successfully completed nonstop flight between Paris (France) and New York (U.S.) for the first time. According to the manufacturer, the A321LR “has the longest range of any single-aisle commercial aircraft today” as it is able to fly 7,400 kilometres nonstop.

The aircraft, powered by two CFM International LEAP-1A engines, flew from Le Bourget Airport near Paris to the New York region’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.

According to Airbus, A321LR is “well suited” for intra-regional airline segments in Asia, the United States and other markets and the Paris-New York flight demonstrates this jetliner version’s ability to “serve new markets and operate on heavily-travelled North Atlantic routes”.

The A321LR is the next step of Airbus’ twin-engine A321neo that has captured more than an 80 percent share in its middle-of-the-market category. Airbus expects the A321LR to continue this trend. The manufacturer also notes having already received over 100 orders for the aircraft with the first customer delivery expected in late 2018.

The A321LR performed its maiden flight on January 3, 2018.The transcontinental flight on February 13, 2018, is part of nearly 100 hours of flight tests in advance of the jetliner’s airworthiness certification, expected in the second quarter of 2018.