JEDDAH- Saudia (SV), the national carrier of Saudi Arabia, advances its narrowbody long-haul strategy with the forthcoming introduction of Airbus A321XLR aircraft equipped with a new fully flat business class product.
These jets will elevate comfort on medium and long-haul routes to Europe, the Indian subcontinent, and Africa.
Reported by OMAAT, Saudia announced the new business class in May 2023 for its 15 ordered A321XLRs, initially targeting 2024 deliveries that faced multi-year delays tied to the Airbus A321XLR program.
As of late 2025, first deliveries remain scheduled for 2026, with the aircraft set to feature 24 Thompson VantageSOLO business class seats in a premium 144-seat total layout.
Saudia A321XLR New Business Class
In May 2023, Saudia unveiled plans to equip its upcoming Airbus A321XLR fleet with an entirely new business class cabin.
Original delivery expectations pointed to 2024, but broader A321XLR program delays shifted the timeline by roughly two years.
The Airbus A321XLR extends the proven A321neo platform with enhanced range up to 4,700 nautical miles, enabling efficient operations on thinner long-haul routes.
Saudia has 15 of these aircraft on firm order and plans to deploy them to destinations including Barcelona (BCN), Brussels (BRU), Milan (MXP), Rome (FCO), Dakar (DSS), and Malé in the Maldives (MLE). Initial routes appear in booking systems for entry into service from May 2026 onward.
This configuration ranks as the most premium A321XLR layout among airlines. The aircraft accommodates just 144 seats overall, 24 in business class and 120 in economy, prioritizing space and comfort.
Among A321 family aircraft, it most closely matches JetBlue’s A321LR setup of 138 seats (24 business class and 114 economy seats).
New Premium Business Class Product
Saudia installs the Thompson VantageSOLO seat across its A321XLR business class cabin. These seats offer fully flat beds and direct aisle access for every passenger, delivering privacy and ease of movement.
The design follows a herringbone layout with seats angled toward the aisle. While effective, this orientation contrasts with reverse herringbone arrangements (facing windows) preferred by many travelers for greater seclusion.
Only 2 airlines have introduced reverse herringbone business class on A321 family jets so far: ITA Airways (AZ) on its A321neos and Etihad Airways (EY) on its A321LRs.
Cabin mockups highlight bulkhead seats, which provide substantially more space, comparable to JetBlue’s Mint Studio suites.
JetBlue (B6) markets these larger positions as a “business class plus” option and charges extra for assignment.
Standard VantageSOLO seats remain highly competitive with ample personal space, large IFE screens, and privacy features, though they offer slightly less room than bulkhead variants. Saudia applies custom finishes to align with its brand identity.
This upgrade builds meaningfully on Saudia’s narrowbody premium evolution. The airline first fitted flat beds on narrowbodies in 2018 using Collins Aerospace Diamond seats on A320s.
The VantageSOLO product now establishes a stronger benchmark for the fleet.
Strategic Fleet Enhancement
The A321XLR rollout supports Saudia’s broader fleet modernization and network growth under Vision 2030 objectives.
Extended range allows cost-effective service on routes that do not justify widebody deployment.
While not the most revolutionary business class product globally, the VantageSOLO setup delivers a solid experience with flat beds and direct aisle access.
It significantly raises the standard for Saudia’s narrowbody operations and reflects positive investment in passenger comfort.
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