PARIS, Oct 29 (Reuters) - Airbus is preparing

to make the first delivery of its longest-range single-aisle

jet, the A321XLR, to Spanish airline Iberia later on Tuesday,

industry sources said.

The keenly awaited delivery - the first of a new variant of

the best-selling A321 jet - involves a formal handover and

transfer of ownership, though the Spanish airline may not

officially welcome the plane into its fleet until next month.

An Airbus spokesperson declined comment on the timing of the

delivery, which comes just ahead of quarterly earnings on

Wednesday. Iberia did not immediately respond to a request for

comment.