Qantas Begins Commercial Flights with Airbus A321XLR
Australian airline Qantas celebrated this Thursday the entry into service of its latest addition: the Airbus A321XLR. The first two aircraft, named Great Ocean Road (VH-OGA) and Outback Way (VH-OGB), took off on their inaugural commercial flights between Sydney-Melbourne and Sydney-Perth, respectively.
The company thus becomes the first airline in the Asia-Pacific region to operate this model and the fourth worldwide.
An Enhanced Cabin Experience
The A321XLR features a wider and longer cabin than its single-aisle predecessors. Its new features include:
- Wider seats.
- Higher ceilings and larger windows.
- Fast and complimentary Wi-Fi.
- Approximately 60% more luggage space compared to Qantas’s Boeing 737s.
Furthermore, it consumes less fuel per seat than the 737 it replaces, enabling a reduction in carbon emissions.
→ Qantas to Nearly Double Capacity on Perth-Rome Route for 2026
A Key Step in Fleet Renewal
Qantas Group CEO, Vanessa Hudson, described this launch as a historic moment: “Seeing our A321XLRs fly with passengers for the first time is a proud moment for everyone involved and reflects the tremendous effort of the teams at Qantas and Airbus.”
Hudson emphasized that investing in new-generation aircraft is fundamental to improving the travel experience and noted the progress already seen with the A220 and Jetstar’s new models.
The executive also highlighted that the A321XLR’s greater range will allow it to operate domestic and short-haul international routes, including destinations in Southeast Asia that are not currently viable with the existing fleet.
Intensive Preparation and Next Steps
The commissioning process included nearly 350 training flights, over 40,000 hours of training, and the deployment of thousands of pieces of equipment across the company’s network.
The third A321XLR unit will arrive in November, and the fleet is expected to reach seven aircraft by June 2026.
In August, Qantas confirmed the purchase of 20 additional aircraft, 16 of which will feature lie-flat Business class seats, intended for transcontinental routes to and from Perth, as well as short and medium-haul international services. With this order, the total number of A321XLRs on order rises to 48.
Largest Fleet Renewal in Qantas’s History
The ongoing renewal program is the most ambitious in the group’s history, with over 200 firm aircraft orders and additional purchase options with both Airbus and Boeing, providing flexibility for future growth.
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