Article co-authored by Matthew Fielder
Qantas this week joined the growing Airbus A321XLR club, launching commercial services with its first two aircraft and becoming the first airline in the Asia-Pacific region to operate the type (and the fourth in the world overall).
The Australian carrier’s low-cost carrier Jetstar will start to receive its A321XLRs from 2027, with a two-class cabin for medium haul international services.
Meanwhile, the first two aircraft, Great Ocean Road (VH-OGA) and Outback Way (VH-OGB), operated inaugural commercial services between Sydney and Melbourne and Sydney and Perth respectively on 25 September.
A third aircraft, Seven Peaks Walk (VH-OGC), is set to join the fleet in November, with seven aircraft expected by June 2026.
Emma Kelly was on one of the inaugural flights and sends us this report.
The A321XLR will initially operate domestic services, including trans-continental flights linking the country’s east and west coasts, gradually replacing Boeing 737s. Later deliveries in the airline’s 48 aircraft order will be configured for international services, featuring seatback IFE and lie-flat Business Class seats, the latter a first for a Qantas narrowbody.
Qantas is looking at direct services to South East Asian and Pacific Island destinations previously not viable with the 737, with the Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbo Fan-powered A321XLR able to fly 8,700km – 3,000km further than the 737-800.
“16 of the XLRs ordered now will have an international product, so lie-flat beds in Business Class, but the first one of those comes in 2028 so that will be the point when we are going to be able to start to grow internationally,” Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson told me.
“The XLR has 3,000km additional range, which out of Perth [Western Australia] means we could get to India, Kuala Lumpur, up into Asia,” Hudson added.
Qantas’s A321XLRs have 197 seats – 20 Business Class and 177 Economy Class – an increase of 13% in total seat capacity compared with the 737. The Economy cabin of the first three aircraft, however, feature an additional three seats and just two lavatories, while aircraft number four onwards will have 177 Economy seats and three lavatories in the rear in a welcome addition for passengers on four to five-hour transcontinental flights.
Qantas says the A321XLR delivers a more comfortable experience than the existing 737. Business Class features leather cover seats with a 37-inch pitch; a five-inch seat recline; a wireless charging pad; six-way adjustable headrest, calf rest and footrest; dual USB A and C charging; an in-arm tray table with built-in tablet holder; and extendable cocktail table.
Economy Class seats have a 30-inch seat pitch, the same as the 737, but are 1cm wider, with extra comfort cushioning, a six-way adjustable head rest, dual USB A and C charging ports, drop-down tablet holder and adjustable meal table. The aircraft feature free WiFi at every seat, with streaming content from the Qantas Entertainment app accessed on personal devices.
While the carrier’s narrowbody fleet renewal programme with the A321XLR and Airbus A220 will accelerate replacement of the 737, that type will continue for some time, prompting the airline to upgrade the cabins of 42 737s, including new seats, larger overhead lockers, and a cabin refresh. The first will re-enter service from 2027.
“It’s going to be here for a while, so we are reconfiguring the 737. We have new seats coming in both economy and business class and those seats are going to be very similar, almost identical to the XLR. What we are trying to do is ensure our customers will have great comfort whether it’s an XLR or a 737,” said Hudson.
Vietjet will be the next A321XLR operator in the region. Stephen Forshaw, Airbus Head of External Affairs, Asia Pacific Region told me the manufacturer is talking to several customers in the region about the A321XLR.
“I think the fact that people are now seeing it enter service is going to stimulate a lot more interest,” he said. “You are already seeing European carriers using it to open up new routes. That’s why we designed this aircraft, to provide the opportunity for airlines not just to allow airlines to serve the routes they are operating today, but to open longer, thinner routes that previously you wouldn’t operate with a widebody,” he said.
QANTAS staff at the launch of its first Airbus A321XLR
