Qantas has ordered 28 A321 XLR aircraft as a part of its fleet renewal program to replace its fleet of B737s over the next decade. The first aircraft is due to arrive in April 2025. The A321XLR is the longest-range variant of the Airbus A320 family, which will allow Qantas to open up new non-stop routes that aren’t viable with existing aircraft.
The new fleet will offer a more comfortable flying experience for customers with a quieter cabin, deliver more reliable operations, and generate fewer emissions per seat than the aircraft they replace.
QANTAS A321XLR CABINS
The cabin and seats of the new Qantas A321XLR have been designed with a focus on maximizing passenger comfort. Customers can expect:
- A more comfortable Economy seat that’s wider than the 737 seat with extra comfortable seat cushioning
- The largest overhead bins of any single-aisle aircraft allow for 60 percent more bags than the 737.
- A sense of spaciousness in the long cabin with higher ceilings and large windows, and a wider cabin than the 737.
- Fast, free Wi-Fi allows all customers in flight to stay connected across multiple devices, as well as the improved Qantas Entertainment App for streaming content to their devices.
- Seats for 197 passengers across two cabins, with 20 Business seats in a 2-2 configuration and 177 Economy seats in a 3-3 configuration.
Praising the new A321XLRs, Vanessa Hudson, chief executive, of Qantas Group says that the arrival of A321XLR represented significant opportunities for employees and customers. “The A321XLR is a fantastic aircraft to be part of our next-generation fleet, and its range and versatility will allow us to explore more non-stop routes and operate them cost-effectively,” Hudson adds.
A321XLR FACTS
- Qantas’ A321XLR is five meters longer than the outgoing 737s. It will be configured to seat 197 people (20 businesses, 177 economies) – a 13% increase across the whole cabin with no reduction in space between seats and a 66% increase in premium seats.
- It can fly approximately 3,000km further than the 737 (at 8,700km) and opens up a wider range of direct domestic and short-haul international routes (e.g. South East Asia, Pacific islands).
- Qantas’ A321XLR will be powered by Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbo Fan engines (PW1100G-JM).
- The A321XLR improves noise levels compared to previous-generation aircraft.
- On a per-seat basis, the A321XLR is expected to burn less fuel than the 737 aircraft it replaces.
- Qantas employees are helping name the new fleet of aircraft under the theme of Walks, Rivers, and Roads as a nod to the iconic travel opportunities across Australia and the importance of connecting this vast landscape and beyond. The first aircraft to arrive will be called Great Ocean Road.
