Qantas has opened bookings on its first Airbus A321XLR aircraft, marking the start of a major upgrade to its domestic and regional fleet.
The first two aircraft, Great Ocean Road (VH-OGA) and Outback Way (VH-OGB), will begin commercial service on 25 September, flying Sydney–Melbourne and Sydney–Perth routes, pending regulatory approval.
Travellers will be the first in the Asia-Pacific region to experience the new aircraft, which bring wider seats, larger windows, free high-speed Wi-Fi and overhead bins able to accommodate around 60 per cent more bags than the Boeing 737s they will replace.
Qantas Domestic CEO Markus Svensson said the debut would give passengers a “first taste of the comfort, space and connectivity” that the A321XLR will bring to Australian skies. “These next generation aircraft mark an exciting new chapter for Qantas,” he said. “The extended range also opens up new opportunities on both domestic and short-haul international routes across South East Asia and the Pacific.”
The airline’s third aircraft in the series, Seven Peaks Walk (VH-OGC), has just rolled out of the paint shop in Hamburg and is due for delivery in November. Seven of the new aircraft are expected to be flying by the end of the financial year.
Qantas has also expanded its order to 48 A321XLRs, the largest single-type narrowbody order in the airline’s history. Sixteen of these will be fitted with lie-flat Business seats and seat-back entertainment screens to serve transcontinental and international routes.
Key details of the Qantas A321XLR
- Capacity: 197 passengers (20 Business, 177 Economy), a 13% increase on the 737, with a 66% boost in premium seating.
- Range: 8,700 km, around 3,000 km more than the 737.
- Efficiency: Lower noise and reduced emissions per seat compared to the current fleet.
- Design: Named after Australian walks, rivers and roads, highlighting the airline’s connection to the country’s landscapes.
Inaugural flights on 25 September
- QF645 Sydney 10:35 – Perth 13:35
- QF650 Perth 14:35 – Sydney 20:40
- QF467 Sydney 16:20 – Melbourne 17:55
- QF484 Melbourne 18:50 – Sydney 20:15
