Aer Lingus (EI, Dublin International) has taken formal delivery of its first A321-200neo(LR) after EI-LRA (msn 8887) was ferried from Hamburg Finkenwerder to Dublin International on Friday, July 26.

The Airbus twinjet is one of eight the IAG International Airlines Group carrier will lease from Air Lease Corporation. Deliveries will run through 2020.

Aer Lingus plans to use its A321neo(LR)s to open up new routes to US and Canadian cities from Ireland.

According to the ch-aviation schedules module, the type is due to make its commercial debut on August 2 with service from Dublin International to Hartford Bradley. Thereafter, service from Dublin to Washington Dulles will commence on October 29 with London Heathrow to follow on November 1 alongside Philadelphia International. A321neo(LR) flights between Shannon and Boston will start on October 27.

Aer Lingus currently operates three A321ceo alongside thirty-four A320ceo and four B757-200s (wet-leased from ASL Airlines Ireland and which the LRs will be replacing). It also has six A321neo(XLR)s on order from Airbus, placed during the recent 2019 Paris Air Show.