Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) took delivery of the first of three Airbus A321LR under a long-term lease agreement with Air Lease Corporation (AL), the U.S. leasing company. The other two jets powered by CFM International LEAP-1A33 engines were scheduled to be delivered to the Scandinavian air carrier in 2021, announced the lessor in a statement on October 15, 2020.

Niklas Hardange, the Vice President of Fleet Management at SAS, said that the A321neo LR arrival was a part of SAS’s ongoing fleet renewal plan. Hardange outlined that with the new delivery SAS set itself a target of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 25% by 2025.

“This is a new aircraft type for SAS and it is well-suited to the Scandinavian market travel patterns. SAS’ ongoing fleet renewal, including new long-haul aircraft such as the A321neo LR, is an investment towards more comfortable travel and sustainable aviation,” said Hardange. “Reducing the carbon footprint in the airline industry is crucial and SAS aims to lead the way.“The delivered A321LR plane is equipped with a three-class cabin layout with 157 seats, from which 22 are assigned for Business class. According to the airline, the A321LR would be set to operate non-stop transatlantic routes to the U.S. and Canada from Nordic countries.

In addition to its brand-new A321-200neo LR jet, SAS also has two Airbus A320-300neo aircraft both of them leased under a long-term agreement from ALC, Planespotters.com data showed. The A320-300neos were delivered to the air carrier in 2020. SAS operates an Airbus fleet of 80 aircraft including 64 A320 Family jets, 9 A330 Family aircraft, 3 A340 Family jets and four new-generation A350 XWBs.