SMBC Aviation Capital has announced the delivery of one Airbus A321neo LR (MSN 12213) equipped with two IAE PW1133G-JM engines to Icelandair. The aircraft was delivered while located at the Airbus facility in Hamburg and is the first Airbus aircraft that Icelandair has put into operation. The delivery flight was the most tracked flight on FlightRadar24 while enroute to Keflavik with the aircraft performing a flypast at Reykjavik before landing at its new home base. This is the first of three aircraft set to deliver before summer 2025 with two further aircraft to set for delivery in 2026. All five aircraft are from SMBC Aviation Capital’s direct order with Airbus.
The A321LR will be the successor of Icelandair’s Boeing 757, which has been the backbone of the airline’s fleet for decades. The aircraft will seat 187 passengers, 22 in Saga Premium and 165 in Economy. Coupled with Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engines, the A321LR will have a range of up to 4,000 nautical miles (7,400 kilometers), allowing the aircraft to operate to all destinations in the Icelandair network previously served by the B757. The A321LR is also expected to be up to 30% more fuel efficient than the B757, supporting the airline’s sustainability efforts, regarding operational efficiency, CO₂ reductions and reduced noise footprint compared to previous generation aircraft.
Commentating on the delivery, the Chief Commercial Officer at SMBC Aviation Capital, Barry Flannery said, “This delivery is an important milestone for Icelandair and SMBC Aviation Capital as it is the first Airbus aircraft ever delivered to Icelandair. Many thanks to the teams at Icelandair and Airbus for their collaboration and hard work in completing this landmark delivery. We look forward to many years of successful partnership with our valued customer, Icelandair.”
Also commenting was the Icelandair CEO, Bogi Nils Bogason who said, “We look forward to welcoming our passengers on board our first Airbus aircraft in the 87-years history of Icelandair. The great collaboration with our long-term partner SMBC Aviation Capital has been crucial in this process. The Airbus aircraft will unleash new opportunities, not only for Icelandair but for Iceland as a tourist destination and a connecting hub between Europe, North America and beyond.”
