‍HAMBURG — Qantas Airways (QF) will take delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR aircraft, arriving later today in Sydney from Airbus’ assembly line in Finkenwerder, Hamburg; a long-range flight, QFA6041, with just one crew rest stop in Bangkok. 

With the arrival, QF becomes the Asia-Pacific launch operator of the latest generation single aisle A321XLR. The type is the first of 28 Pratt & Whitney GTF-powered A321XLR aircraft QF has on order. The aircraft, registered VH-OGA, will be named ‘Great Ocean Road’.

To prepare its pilots for the new aircraft, QF introduced in September 2024 a state-of-the-art CAE 7000XR Series A320 simulator, imported from Canada, at its Sydney Flight Training Center. The training is part of the airline’s broader fleet renewal program, which will see 28 A321XLRs progressively replace its aging Boeing 737s over the next decade.

Over the next three years, more than 240 QF pilots will undergo extensive training, spending up to 60 hours in the simulator, as the A321XLR is set to play a key role in the Australian flag carrier’s international network, replacing the 737 on routes to Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.

Qantas A321XLR Cabin Configuration

Passengers aboard QF’s A321XLR will experience a revamped cabin layout. The aircraft features 20 business class seats in a 2-2 configuration and 177 economy seats in a 3-3 arrangement. The first three QF A321XLR, however, will have a slightly higher economy capacity, with 180 seats.

Altogether the Qantas Group has ordered 40 A321XLRs under its fleet modernization program, with the other 12 to low cost subsidiary Jetstar (JQ). These are part of the airline’s outstanding orders with Airbus for 128 single aisle aircraft and 24 A350-1000 wide-bodies.

“In typical airline service,” states Airbus, the A321XLR “offers the longest range of any single aisle aircraft - up to 4,700 nautical miles - and brings a reduction in fuel consumption and carbon emissions of 30% compared with previous generation competitor aircraft.”

Qantas will initially operate the A321XLR on domestic services across Australia, with potential to open future new services on secondary routes to Asia.

To date, Airbus has secured more than 500 orders for the type. You can check out the A321XLR's cabin in our most recent trip report.