Australia’s Qantas Airways has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR, marking a significant milestone as the airline becomes the Asia-Pacific launch operator for this latest generation single-aisle aircraft. The aircraft was delivered from the Airbus assembly line in Finkenwerder, Hamburg.
The A321XLR is designed for long-range capability and will fly from the Airbus facility to Sydney with a single crew rest stop in Bangkok. It is powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines and features a two-class layout with 20 seats in Business Class and 177 in the main cabin. Initially, Qantas plans to operate this aircraft on domestic routes across Australia, with future possibilities to expand services on secondary routes to Asia.
Qantas Group has ordered a total of 40 A321XLRs as part of its fleet modernization program. Of these, 28 are allocated to Qantas and 12 to its low-cost subsidiary Jetstar. These orders are part of a larger agreement with Airbus that includes 128 single-aisle aircraft and 24 A350-1000 widebodies.
The A321XLR represents an evolutionary step within the A320neo Family, addressing market demands for increased range and payload while offering flexibility and value for airlines. It boasts the longest range of any single-aisle aircraft at up to 4,700 nautical miles and promises a reduction in fuel consumption and carbon emissions by 30% compared to previous-generation competitor aircraft. To date, Airbus has secured over 500 orders for this model.
Airbus notes that all its aircraft can currently operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), with an aim for full compatibility by 2030.
