LATAM expands fleet with 40 new jets while Airbus A321XLR hits 70% of A320 orders

LATAM Airlines Group added 13 next‑generation aircraft in the first half of the year—seven Airbus A320neo, four A321neo and two Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliners—and expects to receive another 28 before the end of 2026. By year‑end the carrier will have incorporated more than 40 new next‑generation jets, bringing its total fleet to 410 aircraft. The programme also introduces Embraer E190‑E2 aircraft for Brazil’s domestic market and plans the first Airbus A321XLR delivery in 2027 to extend medium‑haul nonstop routes. LATAM aims to add up to 130 aircraft from multiple sources by 2030, with more than half of its fleet composed of next‑generation types that cut CO₂ emissions by 20‑25%.

Airbus reported that the A321neo and A321XLR together account for over 70% of the 9,000‑unit order backlog for its A320 family, a record level. Airlines are favouring these single‑aisle models for their capacity, range and fuel efficiency, with the A321neo carrying up to 244 passengers and the XLR reaching 8,700 km. Iberia has taken delivery of its eighth A321XLR, using the aircraft to open lower‑density trans‑Oceanic routes. Airbus expects that 81% of the 42,060 new aircraft needed in the next two decades will be single‑aisle, driven by fleet renewal and rising passenger demand that is projected to double by 2045.