Icelandair has taken delivery of an A321LR aircraft, the first Airbus aircraft in the carrier’s 87-year history. The carrier is also the first airline to fly with Panasonic Avionics’ most advanced in-flight entertainment (IFE) system Astrova on board.
Astrova offers an immersive, cinematic experience for Icelandair’s passengers through 4K OLED HDR10+ displays with most accurate colour reproduction, infinite contrast ratios and perfect blacks. Icelandair’s A321LR will feature 16-inch screens in Business Class and 13-inch screens in Economy and offers high-fidelity sound with Spatial Audio on any wired headset or passengers’ own wireless headphones using Panasonic Avionics’ Bluetooth technology.
The aircraft features the Airspace cabin with XL bins, providing 60% more stowage space compared to previous generation aircraft.
Astrova will also enhance Icelandair’s cabin environment and passenger experience with programmable LED lighting which can complement different phases of the flight such as meal services.
A range of Panasonic Avionics’ advanced digital solutions such as Arc, ZeroTouch and OneMedia are also on board, set to optimise performance and streamline operations with data-driven analytics.
The airline is scheduled to receive three A321LR aircraft by summer 2025. Icelandair’s A321LR seats 187 passengers, 22 in Saga Premium and 165 in Economy, and has Pratt & Whitney GTF engines.
Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer commented: “We are proud to see Icelandair’s colours on an Airbus aircraft. The A321LR offers a 30% reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions per trip compared to previous-generation competition aircraft, as well as significantly lower noise levels.
“This milestone delivery is therefore a testament to our shared commitment to innovation and excellence in aviation. We value the trust Icelandair has placed in Airbus and look forward to supporting their continued success as they further contribute to Iceland’s economic growth.”
The A321LR is supporting the airline’s sustainability efforts regarding operational efficiency, CO₂ reductions and reduced noise footprint compared to previous generation aircraft.
“Today marks a significant milestone in Icelandair’s history,” Bogi Nils Bogason, Icelandair President and CEO said. “The addition of the Airbus aircraft to our fleet will unleash great opportunities in the coming years, not only for Icelandair but also for Iceland as a tourist destination and a connecting hub between Europe, North America, and beyond. We are excited to start operating these efficient, long-range aircraft and welcome our passenger on board.”
Ken Sain, Chief Executive Officer at Panasonic Avionics, said: “With 4K OLED displays, Bluetooth, Spatial Audio, and a modular design that delivers the scalability and flexibility needed to keep pace with consumer trends in today’s fast-changing market, Astrova represents the most advanced IFE solution Panasonic Avionics has ever developed. It is also our fastest adopted IFE solution with 70 airline programme commitments in just two years since launch. We are excited that Icelandair has selected Panasonic Avionics’ Astrova for their new A321 NEO LR aircraft.”
