Qantas' First Airbus A321XLR Rolls Out of the Paint Shop in Hamburg
/https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2019/06/Qantas-A321XLR.jpg)
Qantas has officially welcomed its first Airbus A321XLR (Extra Long Range), marking a historic milestone as the airline's first-ever A320-family aircraft. The jet recently emerged from the paint shop at Airbus' Hamburg facility, showcasing its full livery—though its engines have yet to be installed, as seen in images shared on X.
This aircraft represents a significant shift for Qantas, which has never operated a narrow-body Airbus jet in its fleet. New photos of the plane, registered as VH-OGA, offer a glimpse of how the airline's future A321XLRs will look once in service.
Qantas has ordered 28 A321XLRs, set to replace its aging Boeing 737 fleet over the next decade. This suggests the airline may exercise additional purchase options included in the order. The move marks another blow to Boeing in a highly competitive market, especially after Qantas also selected the Airbus A220 to replace its Boeing 717 fleet operated by QantasLink.
The airline expects to take delivery of its first A321XLR in April 2025, making Qantas the first operator of this model in the Asia-Pacific region. Initially, the aircraft will be deployed on domestic routes, offering more seats than the Boeing 737-800 and a 60% increase in baggage capacity.
Enhanced Capacity and Efficiency
Qantas’ new A321XLRs will seat 197 passengers, including 20 in Business and 177 in Economy. This represents a 13% capacity boost without reducing seat pitch, along with a 66% increase in premium seating options. Powered by Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbo Fan (PW1100G-JM) engines, the aircraft will offer a quieter flight experience while consuming 20% less fuel than previous-generation models.
With the A321XLR, Qantas is taking a major step toward modernizing its fleet, enhancing passenger experience, and improving operational efficiency.
Para comentar, debés estar registradoPor favor, iniciá sesión