So I have no knowledge on the XLR at all so I’m just speaking in general based on what I do know….

Aircraft are certified with everything in place and if there was ANY reason that Airbus gave for the black borders around the FD windows then they become mandatory at that time and cannot be modified unless re certified.

example: 787 wings have the paint falling off the tops of them exposing the composit below and look like complete garbage.

there is a fix for this….paint the wing black before the white top coat. The black absorbs the UV rays and prevents the composite from getting damaged and then the paint delaminating.

so easy fix right? Boeing will just paint the wings black on the delivery paint job! Nope unfortunately that’s not how the 787 was certified so Boeing is not allowed to paint the wing black unless they re-certify it.

So now airlines have to take delivery of brand new aircraft that they know will need their wings repainted within 5 years so they aren’t covered with speed tape.

however, there is nothing that prevents the airlines from painting the wing black per there paint job specs and the black wing is now TSOd so the airlines can do it themselves AFTER delivery.

so all this is to say the dark rimmed window outlines may be there for a reason in the XLR but not the NEO

Probably hadn't been thought of before!

There was a write up in Airbus's Safety First publication some time ago.

they are an optional equipment piece, like brake fans.

Anybody actually think the 321xlr will become a real / good replacement for the 757 Europe stuff? Certification issues and overzealous performance numbers seem like that could be a stretch. If that doesn't work I imagine after 757's are stretched as long as possible then that flying will go to small 787's. Needing to take that big lift to put on former 75 flying wether it's not daily or whatever may create need for lift on the big side, hence 350's! Spitballing

Considering SAS, Aer Lingus, JetBlue, TAP and probably some other airlines I can't think of how are having success flying non XLR's to Europe, I suspect the extra performance from the XLR will make it a great 757 replacement, even if it doesn't meet every performance target promised when it was announced.

Exactly.

Airbus is promising 4700nm (even with the new fuel tank requirements), so lets say it falls short by 500nm, that is still longer then a 757/current 321.

Will it have the same runway performance as a 757? No. But what European desitnations have "short" runways that would require 757 take off performance at max range? Otherwise it will do fine.

Might want to check definition of success. JB getting killed international because they cant get full paying customers in mint.

is that a function of the aircraft, JB or mint product?

That's not an airplane issue, that's an airline issue.