Qantas Bets Big on Airbus A321XLR: Airline Orders Another 20 Aircraft
Australian airline Qantas announced this Thursday the purchase of an additional 20 Airbus A321XLR aircraft, as part of the largest fleet renewal program in the group’s history. With this order, the airline will reach a total of 48 units of this new-generation model.
Of these A321XLRs, 16 will be configured with fully reclining Business class seats and individual entertainment screens—a first for the airline’s narrowbody flights. These aircraft will be allocated to longer routes, such as transcontinental services to and from Perth, as well as short- and medium-haul international operations.
A Leap in Range and Connectivity
The A321XLR offers a range of up to 8,700 kilometers, surpassing the Boeing 737 it replaces by more than 3,000 km. This improvement will allow Qantas to open direct routes to destinations in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands that are currently not viable with its existing narrowbody fleet.
The first two aircraft of this type, designed for domestic and short-haul international operations, will enter commercial service in mid-September. With this, Qantas will become the first airline in the Asia-Pacific region to operate the model. Initially, they will serve the Sydney-Melbourne and Sydney-Perth routes, later gradually expanding to other destinations. The plan is to have seven units in operation by the end of the current fiscal year.
Meanwhile, Jetstar will begin receiving its A321XLRs from 2027 onwards, equipped with a two-class cabin designed for international travel.
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Management’s Vision
Group CEO Vanessa Hudson emphasized the significance of this investment: “Acquiring new aircraft is one of the most significant ways to improve the travel experience. These multi-million-dollar investments are made possible by the group’s strong financial performance.”
Hudson highlighted that the introduction of the A321XLR will accelerate the retirement of the 737 fleet, opening new opportunities in both the domestic market and international routes. Among the potential connections mentioned were Perth-India and Adelaide-Singapore.
She also stressed that passengers will benefit from a more consistent service thanks to reclining business class seats, individual screens, and fast, free Wi-Fi—features that align with the offering on long-haul flights.
Impact on Fleet and Operations
With this expansion, the group’s firm order book now stands at 214 aircraft, of which 32 had already been delivered as of June 30. In the 2025 fiscal year alone, Qantas received 17 new aircraft; this number will increase to 20 in the current fiscal year and reach 29 in 2027, distributed among 36 for Qantas, 10 for Jetstar, and 3 for Qantas Freight.
An additional milestone will be the entry into the final assembly line of the first Airbus A350-1000ULR for the Project Sunrise in October of this year, with deliveries expected to begin in October 2026.
Hudson concluded that each new addition brings greater range, comfort, noise reduction, economic efficiency, and new job opportunities for pilots, crew, and technicians. According to the executive, the fleet renewal is already delivering tangible improvements in customer satisfaction, as well as financial and fuel efficiency benefits.
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Un apasionado por la aviación, Fundador y CEO de Aviación al Día.