American Airlines’ First A321XLR Overseas Route To Be JFK-Edinburgh

American Airlines will fly its first international route utilizing the Airbus A321XLR between New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Edinburgh Airport (EDI) starting in March 2026.

American said the long-range narrowbody has now joined its fleet after delays in delivery. The carrier has 50 A321XLRs on order. American disclosed in July that it had technically received its first A321XLR from Airbus, but said the aircraft needed to remain in Europe to resolve “ongoing seat supply chain challenges.”

The Dallas-Fort Worth-based airline will first operate the aircraft, which has a maximum range of 4,700 nm (5,400 mi.), on flights between JFK and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The A321XLR will be used on the JFK-LAX route from Dec. 18 until March 2026.

American will commence A321XLR flights between JFK and the Scottish capital on March 8, 2026. It will fly the aircraft on the route—with a distance of more than 2,800 nautical mi. (3,200 mi.)—on a seasonal basis through Oct. 24, 2026.

“As American takes delivery of additional A321XLR aircraft, the airline plans to use the aircraft on additional transcontinental and international routes,” the carrier said.

JetBlue Airways operated flights between JFK and EDI on a seasonal basis for the just-concluded summer schedule, according to OAG Schedules Analyzer data. Delta Air Lines is currently flying the route, with plans to take a break in January and February 2026 before resuming service in March.

American’s A321XLRs will be configured to carry 155 passengers, including 20 in business class, 12 in premium economy and 123 in economy. Airbus has said the aircraft has a maximum seating of 244 passengers in a single-class configuration.

American operated a seasonal route between Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and EDI on its 2025 summer schedule with an A321neo. The carrier said it will resume PHL-EDI service for the 2026 winter from March 28.