Qantas adds first Airbus A321XLR to Asia-Pacific fleet

This acquisition is part of a larger order that includes 128 single-aisle and 24 A350-1000 widebody aircraft.
El modelo Airbus A321XLR para rutas más largas por parte de Qantas

Qantas Airways has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR, targeting direct flights from the Airbus plant in Finkenwerder, Hamburg, to Sydney, with a single technical stopover in Bangkok.

The Airbus A321XLR model for longer routes

The arrival of the A321XLR marks a strategic shift for Qantas. For the first time, it integrates a single-aisle aircraft with the ability to cover routes of up to 4,700 nautical miles. Such flexibility allows the airline to operate high-demand domestic routes and, in the future, to explore new connections to secondary destinations in Asia.

This transport is equipped with Pratt & Whitney GTF engines and has a two-class configuration: 20 seats in business class and 177 in the main cabin. Qantas Group has ordered a total of 40 aircraft of this model, of which 28 will be assigned to Qantas and the remaining 12 to its low-cost subsidiary, Jetstar.

The Airbus A321XLR joins the A320neo family and offers notable advantages in efficiency and range, with 30% savings in fuel consumption and emissions compared to previous generations of competing aircraft. In addition, the model is certified to operate on up to 50% sustainable fuel(SAF), with a view to reaching 100% by 2030.

Qantas’ decision to introduce this aircraft responds to both the need to minimize environmental impact and the pursuit of new business opportunities in regional markets. As the launch operator in Asia-Pacific, the airline strengthens its leadership in operational innovation in the region.

With this addition, Airbus adds more than 500 A321XLR orders, consolidating its presence in the long-range single-aisle segment. For Qantas, this move represents a firm step towards a more versatile, efficient and future-oriented fleet.

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Source and photo: Airbus