Airbus has recently delivered its first A321XLR aircraft to Iberia, which is a significant milestone in the advancement of smaller, fuel-efficient jets.

This new model has an extended range, allowing it to fly up to 11 hours nonstop and cover 4,700 nautical miles, which is approximately 15% more than its predecessor, the A321LR.

Iberia plans to introduce the A321XLR on its Madrid to Boston route next month, and other major airlines like American Airlines and United Airlines have also placed orders for this model.

The A321XLR is designed to be more environmentally friendly, consuming about 30% less fuel compared to older aircraft.

Airbus has received over 500 orders for the A321XLR, contributing to a backlog of nearly 8,600 planes as of June.

This delivery comes at a time when Boeing is facing challenges, including the aftermath of two fatal 737 Max crashes, which have caused delays in its plans for a new aircraft to bridge the gap between its 737 and wide-body models.

Boeing's new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, has stated that the company will prioritize restructuring and improving quality before pursuing new aircraft development.