Qantas Begins Commercial Operations with New Airbus A321XLR Fleet
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Qantas has placed its first two Airbus A321XLR (Extra Long Range) aircraft into service, with commercial flights commencing this Thursday. The aircraft, registered as VH-OGA (‘Great Ocean Road’) and VH-OGB (‘Outback Way’), are operating the inaugural routes between Sydney and Melbourne and Sydney and Perth, respectively.
With this introduction, Qantas becomes the first airline in the Asia-Pacific region and the fourth globally to operate this aircraft model. The A321XLR features a wider and longer cabin than previous-generation narrowbody aircraft, allowing for wider seats, higher ceilings, and 60% more baggage space compared to the company's Boeing 737s.
Vanessa Hudson, Qantas Group CEO, stated that the investment in new-generation aircraft is fundamental to the company's strategy. "The extended flight range enables us to operate these aircraft on both domestic and short-haul international routes, including destinations across Southeast Asia that are not viable with our current narrowbody fleet," the executive commented.
The aircraft's entry into service required extensive preparation, including nearly 350 training flights and over 40,000 hours of training for crew and ground staff, according to a statement from Qantas.
Part of the fleet renewal program
These aircraft are part of the Qantas Group's fleet renewal program. The company plans to expand its A321XLR fleet to seven units by mid-2026, with the third aircraft scheduled to arrive in November of this year.
An additional order for 20 A321XLRs, announced in August, brought the total commitment to 48 aircraft. Of that recent batch, 16 planes will be equipped with lie-flat seats in Business class, intended for transcontinental routes and medium-haul international destinations.
Technical and operational features
The Airbus A321XLR is five meters longer than the Boeing 737-800, which provides a 13% increase in seat capacity. The aircraft uses Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbo Fan (PW1100G-JM) engines and advanced lightweight materials. These features contribute to reduced fuel consumption and lower emissions per seat compared to previous-generation aircraft. Qantas's A321XLRs are named after Australian roads, rivers, and walks, following a company tradition.
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