In May 2023, Saudia unveiled plans to introduce an all-new business class product on upcoming Airbus A321XLRs. At the time, the plan was for those planes to be delivered in 2024, though that timeline ended up being pushed back by a couple of years, given overall A321XLR delays.
Continue reading: Saudia Airbus A321XLRs With New Flat Bed Business Class Suites Join Fleet
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The seats look squeezed in and twisted around . I'd rather lay on a soft floor .
Just booked MAD-JED for November. It’s clearly the new product looking at the seat map, although it’s only shown as A321 (nothing to currently distinguish it from standard A321) in the aircraft type. I was able to select 1L for free and I hope they don’t change their minds and decide to bounce me off at some point!
1 lav for 24 business class passengers, plus the crew? Given how many Saudi passengers change clothes before arrival, this doesn't look great
Why is this seat "exciting" for a shitty Middle Eastern airline, but contemptible for AA or UA?
@ Aliana -- I don't think I said the seat was "exciting." Instead, I said the plane is exciting for the airline, which is the same thing I said when American took delivery of it.
Allana ... The seat is absurdly tight and twisted , and cannot ever be "exciting" .
A long haul flight on a single aisle plane still gives me chills despite luxurious seating options - and only for those in business class! An airline can provide every conceivable luxury, but the fact remains that it will be an aviation equivalent of a road trip in a cramped sports car rather than a spacious SUV. This shift to single-aisle planes might pad airline bottom lines, but it forces travelers to pay premium prices for a highly compromised environment.
"luxury" = comfort , wine , "The New Yorker" , and cigars . Available only at home .
Flew an A321 with lie flats MLE-DOH in early '23 on Qatar. Haven't seen anything about them on this site. One off?
@Heath for the winning comment. It's true, no matter how many bells and whistles are included, it's still a narrow body on a long haul. Fine for short hauls, but anything longer than 4 hours is debatable. The element of overall cabin 'space' (as opposed to your 'personal space' around your seat), is something which is highly appreciated by those of us who started flying in 'tiny' 707s but have since moved onto better, bigger aircraft..I have no wish to return to small cabins on long hauls.
"but it forces travelers to pay premium prices for a highly compromised environment."
no it doesn't. Take the connection on a wide body if you prefer it. You aren't forced to do anything but you are a minority preferring a connection over a nonstop enabled by this type of aircraft
That would be have been an A320 ceo, Qatar have 10 configured with flat beds, they've had that configuration for years.