SYDNEY- Qantas Airways (QF) announced that its first Airbus A321XLR aircraft are now open for commercial bookings, marking a significant step in its fleet renewal program.
The new A321XLRs will serve routes between Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) and Melbourne Airport (MEL) as well as Sydney (SYD) to Perth Airport (PER) beginning 25 September, pending regulatory approval.
Photo: QantasQantas A321XLR Routes
According to Qantas, the first two Airbus A321XLR operated by Qantas — Great Ocean Road (VH-OGA) and Outback Way (VH-OGB) — will commence service on the SYD-MEL and SYD-PER routes.
A third, Seven Peaks Walk (VH-OGC), is rolling out of the paint shop in Hamburg and is expected in Qantas’ fleet by November.
These new A321XLRs include wider seats and larger windows, improving the traveler’s comfort compared to the Boeing 737 aircraft they replace. They provide faster and free Wi-Fi to all customers, plus overhead bins capable of holding about 60 percent more bags.
According to Aerolopa, this is how Qantas configures its A321XLRs:
| Seat Type | Recaro recliner styled by David Caon | Recaro seat styled by David Caon |
| Seat Arrangement | 2-2 | 3-3 |
| Number of Seats | 20 | 180 |
| Tablet Holder | Yes | Yes |
| Adjustable Headrest | Six-way | Yes |
| Calf Rest & Footrest | Swing-out | No |
| Table | Retractable bi-folding | No |
| Seat Width | 20″ | 18″ |
| Row Pitch | 37″ | 30″ (rows 6, 7, 15–18 offer extra legroom) |
| Seat Recline | 5″ | TBC |
| Power Sockets | USB-A, 60W USB-C, wireless charging pad | USB-A, 60W USB-C |
The aircraft features Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbo Fan engines (PW1100G-JM), which lower noise and reduce carbon emissions per seat on comparable routes.
Photo: QantasLongest Range Narrow-Body Jet in the World
With an extended flight range of approximately 8,700 kilometers, the A321XLRs will allow Qantas to fly new domestic and short-haul international routes.
Some of these include potential services to South East Asia and the Pacific Islands that were not feasible with the narrower operational limits of the existing narrowbody fleet.
Qantas has raised its A321XLR order to 48 aircraft, making it its largest ever fleet renewal program. Of these, sixteen will be fitted with lie-flat Business seats plus seat-back entertainment screens for use on longer routes.
The remainder will primarily serve domestic and shorter regional services. By year’s end, Qantas expects to have taken delivery of seven A321XLRs.
Tickets for the A321XLR commenced booking at 9 am on the announcement day via Qantas.com. Scheduled inaugural flights include QF645 leaving Sydney at 10:35 am to Perth, QF650 returning from Perth, QF467 Sydney to Melbourne, and QF484 the reverse.
Note: All flights are subject to regulatory approval.
Photo: QantasBottom Line
The aircraft boosts seat capacity by about 13 percent over the Boeing 737 on a per-aircraft basis, without reducing legroom. Premium seating increases by about 66 percent.
These A321XLRs also produce fewer carbon emissions per passenger on similar routes, advancing Qantas’ sustainability goals.
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