Today, United Airlines took delivery of the first of 50 A321XLRs on order. Here's a program update to provide some context. The chart illustrates how well Airbus is industrializing the program. Delivery days have nearly halved over the past two years. The curve is an excellent picture of industrial efficiency. Next, notice that of the 41 delivered, most are CFM-powered. This is interesting because most A321neos are powered by P&W. [caption id="attachment_192482" align="aligncenter" width="640"] AirInsight[/caption] The engine selection item is important since Airbus threw P&W under the bus earlier this year. Which is unfortunate because the data show that any engine shortages have not been from P&W. P&W has had to juggle supplying engines to airline customers with AOGs, and these, understandably, have been given priority. [caption id="attachment_192483" align="aligncenter" width="697"] AirInsight[/caption] Indeed, P&W has apparently done a good job of supporting Airbus, too. The A220 program, which is arguably having its best year, is P&W-exclusive. In production terms, the engine choices are almost tied; in delivery terms, P&W is the clear winner. These two charts may show where production and deliveries are misaligned. What you want to see is that the FAL's production and delivery rates are close or equal. Where they are not, there is a sequence issue. The chart reflects 2026 data. PVG, for example, is, or should be, an area of concern. [caption id="attachment_192484" align="aligncenter" width="726"] AirInsight[/caption] Now, when we break down the numbers for each single-aisle program, we can peel back another layer. [caption id="attachment_192485" align="aligncenter" width="640"] AirInsight[/caption] The A220 is doing really well. The A321neo program is also doing very well. The XLR program is doing well, but on tiny volumes. The A320 and A319 programs are struggling. This table lays out why P&W is winning at Airbus despite the public huffing and puffing. [caption id="attachment_192486" align="aligncenter" width="712"] AirInsight[/caption] The XLR is getting the headlines. But it isn't the main story—the the A321neo is, and to a lesser extent, the A220-300. The purple highlights show Pratt & Whitney running well ahead of CFM in the programs that matter most to Airbus. And there's another wrinkle. Several XLR customers have quietly converted orders back to the LR. That raises an uncomfortable question: Is the XLR proving less transformative in practice than many expected just two years ago? The XLR may be Airbus's most talked-about product. It is not necessarily its most important one. Now, to come back to the United XLR. You won't be surprised that it's powered by P&W.
