‍SYDNEY — Qantas (QF) has announced an order for additional Airbus A321XLR aircraft, bringing the airline's total order to 48 next-generation A321XLR aircraft.

“Investing in new aircraft is one of the most significant ways that we can provide our customers with a better flying experience, and these billion-dollar investments are possible because of our continued strong financial performance. These additional A321XLRs will accelerate the retirement of our 737 fleet and open up new opportunities for domestic and international travel, allowing us to reach destinations that aren’t possible with our current narrowbody fleet,”  said Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson

“Not only will the A321XLRs help us serve the corporate market travelling between Perth and the east coast of Australia, they will also allow us to expand flying on existing routes into South East Asia and open up new possibilities like Perth-India and Adelaide-Singapore,” commented Vanessa Hudson.

New Cabin on A321XLR

Sixteen of the ordered A321XLR aircraft will be equipped with QF’s brand new lie-flat Business Class seats and seat-back entertainment screens to serve longer routes, including transcontinental service from Perth, as well as short and medium-haul routes.

A321XLR will be the first narrow-body aircraft in the airline's fleet to be equipped with lie-flat Business Class seats. The first aircraft in the new configuration is scheduled to arrive in 2028.

“The lie-flat Business seats, seat back screens and fast and free Wi-Fi will provide a consistent premium experience for our customers who fly domestically with QF and connect onto our long-haul services,” said Ms Hudson.

The A321XLR in the QF Group

The first two A321XLR jets configured for domestic and short-haul international flights are scheduled to start operations in September 2025, making QF the first operator of this aircraft type in the Asia Pacific.

Qantas expects to have seven A321XLR aircraft by the end of the financial year. The aircraft will initially operate on Sydney-Melbourne and Sydney-Perth routes with new routes added progressively. 

The A321XLR aircraft are set to replace the Boeing 737 in the QF fleet. An extended range of up to 8,700 kilometers is 3,000km more than the Boeing 737 aircraft’s range, enabling QF to launch new non-stop connections across South East Asia and the Pacific Islands. 

Jetstar (JQ) is expecting to receive its first A321XLR aircraft in 2027. The aircraft will feature a two-class cabin configuration, suitable for international travel.

QF Fleet Renewal Program 

The new A321XLR order and upgraded cabin are part of QF's most extensive fleet renewal program, with a total firm aircraft order of 214 for QF’s and JQ’s fleets. 

The mainline airline took delivery of 17 aircraft in 2025, with three more to be delivered by the end of the year. In 2027, the QF Group is expected to receive 29 new aircraft.

The first Project Sunrise Airbus A350-1000ULR is scheduled to move to the final assembly line in October 2025, with deliveries commencing in October 2026.

The announcement of new aircraft has already delivered improvements in customer satisfaction, as well as financial and fuel benefits for the Qantar Group.

“All of the next generation aircraft joining our fleet benefit from longer range, more comfort, less noise, better economics, and will improve how people travel around Australia and overseas. It also means we’re recruiting and training more pilots, cabin crew and engineers, creating opportunities for our people,” added Vanessa Hudson.