Australian Qantas takes delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR
Australian airline Qantas has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR, registered as VH-OGA and nicknamed “Great Ocean Road,” becoming the launch operator of the model in the Asia-Pacific region.
The delivery flight (QF6041), which departed this Monday from Airbus’ facilities in Hamburg, Germany, with its final destination in Sydney, will cover over 9,600 kilometers to Bangkok, making it the longest flight ever undertaken by an A321XLR for a commercial airline. From there, the aircraft will continue its journey to Sydney, adding another 7,600 kilometers. Its arrival at Sydney Airport is scheduled for the morning of Wednesday, July 2, shortly after 10 a.m. In total, the trip from Germany to Australia will take 42 hours door-to-door, including 21 hours of actual flight time.
A Key Step in Qantas’ Fleet Renewal
This delivery follows the successful completion of the customer acceptance flight last Tuesday and marks a crucial milestone in the Qantas Group’s fleet renewal program. With a range of 8,700 kilometers (4,700 nautical miles), the A321XLR is the world’s longest-range single-aisle aircraft, opening new routes and possibilities for the Australian national airline.
→ American Airlines and Qantas Announce Additional Flights Between the U.S. and Australia
Large-Scale Preparation for the New Model
Qantas has invested heavily in preparing for the introduction of this aircraft. Over 45,000 hours of training have been completed across the organization, with nearly 1,000 employees trained, including pilots, cabin crew, engineers, and ground staff.
Innovation, Comfort, and Sustainability
The VH-OGA is the first of 40 A321XLRs ordered by the Qantas Group: 28 will be operated by Qantas and 12 by its low-cost subsidiary Jetstar. This model features the widest cabin in its category, with 60% more luggage space, wider economy seats, increased capacity in both economy and business class, and larger windows than the Boeing 737. Its spacious interior includes ambient LED lighting and raised ceilings, significantly enhancing the onboard experience.
From an environmental perspective, the A321XLR incorporates lightweight materials and advanced design technologies that reduce fuel consumption and emissions per seat on comparable routes, compared to previous-generation aircraft.
Markus Svensson, CEO of Qantas Domestic, joined the team at the delivery ceremony in Germany and remarked: “It has been incredibly exciting to be in Hamburg with our team to officially welcome our first Airbus A321XLR. We are proud to be the first A321XLR operator in Asia-Pacific, and its arrival marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for Qantas and a significant step forward in the experience we offer our customers.”
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Un apasionado por la aviación, Fundador y CEO de Aviación al Día.