Airbus: Behind the Scenes of the Manufacturing of the A321 XLR, the Manufacturer's Latest Aircraft
France Télévisions invites you to take a look behind the scenes at the construction of Airbus's latest aircraft, which has already been ordered by around twenty companies.
A flagship in the final stages. The latest Airbus aircraft is sold for around €100 million each, according to France Télévisions estimates. A source of pride for the technicians putting the finishing touches to its construction in Toulouse (Haute-Garonne). But how is this aircraft manufactured? For Airbus, the challenge is twofold: produce more and pollute less.
An airplane is first and foremost a fuselage, the central part of the aircraft. It is assembled in a huge factory in Hamburg, Germany, which employs 18,000 people. This is the second largest Airbus site in Europe. These workshops are the back of the legendary A380. The A321 XLR is smaller and much less expensive. The aluminum structure is one to five millimeters thick.
The production line is under pressure, as all airlines want new products. In 2024, Airbus delivered 766 aircraft, all models combined. The manufacturer has 8,658 aircraft on order, 50% more than Boeing. To maintain its lead, the A321 XLR has a major advantage: a major innovation in the cargo hold.
Watch the full report in the video above
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