Wizz Air Takes Delivery of First A321XLR with P&W Engines

HAMBURG — Wizz Air (W6) has just taken delivery of the first of its 47 Airbus A321XLR aircraft, becoming the first airline in the world to operate this model with Pratt & Whitney GTF engines.

The arrival of the type also marks W6 as the first low-cost carrier (LCC) in Europe to fly the A321XLR.

W6’s A321XLRs have 239 seats in a single-class layout and feature Airbus’s new Airspace cabin. 

This cabin includes an intelligent lighting system with different modes designed to create the right atmosphere for every journey phase. With this addition, W6 is expanding its ability to offer longer flights, especially connecting Europe and the Middle East.

Pratt & Whitney’s GTF Engine A321XLR Debut

Airbus offers two engine options for the A321XLR: the CFM LEAP-1A from General Electric and Safran, and the Geared Turbofan (GTF) engine from Pratt & Whitney. 

Wizz Air’s new aircraft is the first A321XLR in the world to be powered by Pratt & Whitney’s GTF engines, marking a significant milestone for the airline and the engine manufacturer. 

The GTF engine is known for its cutting-edge geared architecture, which delivers substantial improvements in fuel efficiency, noise reduction, and emissions. This makes it a key choice for airlines focused on sustainable operations.

Wizz Air’s All-Airbus Fleet

Wizz Air now operates a fully Airbus fleet of over 230 A320 Family aircraft, with 295 more on the way.

The A321XLR is the latest evolution of the A320neo Family. It was built to meet the demand for a more extended range and higher payloads, offering airlines more flexibility and efficiency. This aircraft can fly up to 4,700 nautical miles and burns 30% less fuel per seat than older models. It also cuts down on NOx emissions and noise. 

This delivery highlights a growing industry shift, as Airbus has received over 500 global orders for the A321XLR. Airlines increasingly turn to fuel-efficient, long-range narrow-body aircraft to meet capacity demands while improving environmental performance and maintaining operational flexibility.