Where will Cebu Pacific possibly fly their Airbus A321XLR

Cebu Pacific ordered ten Airbus A321XLR jets during the 2019 Paris Air Show, and the aircraft will be configured to fit 240 passengers. They also announced that they would be introducing new routes utilizing this aircraft. The A321XLR has a range of 8,700km. This got me thinking about where Cebu Pacific plans to fly the A321XLR.

However, the 240-seat configuration is not yet final. Usually, more seats may mean less range due to weight, just like Cebu Pacific’s A330neo. While the A330-900 can fly between Manila and Los Angeles non-stop, the number of seats configured on Cebu Pacific’s A330neo, which is at 459, will not allow it to do so.

Hence, if Cebu Pacific wants to maximize the full range capability of the A321XLR, there is a possibility that the 240-seat layout may not be followed.

What is the Airbus A321XLR?

The Airbus A321XLR is the latest iteration of the popular A321, Airbus’s largest single-aisle aircraft. The XLR makes use of PW1100G-JM turbofan engines, the same as used by the other A321NEOs. What gives the XLR its range is the addition of a permanent rear center fuel tank which holds 3,400 US gal of fuel. 

The A321XLR also has a strengthened landing gear for a 101t Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) and an optimized wing-trailing edge flap configuration to preserve take-off performance.

There is just one catch

Cebu Pacific ordered the A321XLR before the pandemic took its toll. At a media event I attended, I asked Mr. Alexander Lao if Cebu Pacific would still acquire the A321XLR. He did say that nothing is final and this may still change. Cebu Pacific has the option to convert the orders.

So whether the A321XLR of Cebu Pacific will push through or not, it’s for us to see in the future.

If the airline pushes through with this order, where will Cebu Pacific possibly fly them?

Using the map above, which indicates the A321XLR’s range capability, here are my guesses regarding where Cebu Pacific will fly the A321XLR. These predictions of mine are regardless of seat configuration. It was earlier announced that the airline plans to install 240 all-economy seats (possibly Recaro SL3710 seats, too), but nothing is final.

My predictions where Cebu Pacific can possibly fly the A321XLR

• Manila to Sapporo, Japan (3,771km) – Cebu Pacific has always wanted to expand its services to Japan.
• Clark to Sydney, Australia (6,344km) – Very well within reach of the A321XLR. As Cebu Pacific expands its services from and to Clark, there is no doubt in mind that they may introduce Oceania flights from the former American airbase.
• Clark to Melbourne, Australia (6,417km) – Jetstar serviced the route.
• Cebu to Sydney, Australia (5,695km) – Cebu Pacific will take advantage of those backpackers and tourists who want to travel directly from Australia to the Visayas region. So far, there are no direct flights from Sydney to the Visayas.
• Manila to New Dehli (4,753km) – This route must have long been in the airline’s pipeline. Philippine Airlines was supposed to open flights from Manila to India but was postponed due to a tension within the area during that time.
• Manila to Male (5,320km) – Many Filipino travelers are looking for the cheapest flights to fly to the Maldives. We are pretty sure Cebu Pacific is looking to provide that direct access. It was also rumored that Philippine Airlines was planning to launch direct flights from Manila to Male. The airline’s regular A321neo can service this route, though.
• Manila to Muscat (6,601km) – Oman Air presently services this route, and it is not far for Cebu Pacific to do so. This is well within the range of the A321XLR.
• Manila to Brisbane (5,812km) – This route must be well under Cebu Pacific’s radar in their quest to open more flights to Australia.

Again, these are my predictions. I wonder whether Cebu Pacific will keep or convert the XLR orders to more A321neos.

However, I feel that Cebu Pacific will be able to benefit from the XLR. It will allow the airline to service farther destinations without using widebody aircraft. Only time will tell. The best is to wait for an official announcement from Cebu Pacific themselves.