It says they are using a "domestic configured Airbus A321neo"; it probably doesn't have the range to make the trip with cargo. The idea being the train pilots on the NEO so they can fly/teach it on the XLR.

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tgv 2 days ago | parent [-]

It should be able to carry at least 180 passengers times 80kg = 14400kg, right? And airlines don't like losing money, so perhaps it's something else, like not having the infrastructure/licenses to haul cargo?

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adgjlsfhk1 2 days ago | parent [-]

not if the plan is to do the actual flights on the xlr which is a longer range variant of the same plane

	▲	tgv 11 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Apparently, the A321neo has a range of 7400km, which is more than enough for Philadelphia-Edinburgh.