Make a note in your diary for October. Qantas’ newest aircraft, the Airbus A321XLR, will enter international service later this year, with the inaugural flight between Brisbane and Manila. The plane will fly daily on the route, commencing in October.
Before that, the new Airbus jet will make its debut on the Brisbane-Perth route from May 2026.
Qantas’ new aircraft was introduced to Australian flyers in September last year (Karryon was on board a special preview flight the day it officially launched). The narrowbody jet initially flew on the airline’s Sydney-Melbourne and Sydney-Perth routes, before debuting on the Sydney-Brisbane run later in the year.
Last weekend, the flying kangaroo welcomed its fourth A321XLR, named “Bibbulmun Track”. The new plane (VH‑OGD) travelled from Hamburg to Brisbane (via Bangkok).
The new aircraft offers free wi-fi, a quieter ride and larger overhead storage – around 60 per cent more space than the B737s it is slowly replacing. The aircraft also uses less fuel per seat, which supports a reduction in emissions.
With Qantas betting big on its new jet, you can be sure more international route announcements will be coming.
KARRYON UNPACKS: Qantas’ A321XLR makes its international debut in October on Brisbane‑Manila. Quieter, greener and with free wi-fi, it signals the airline’s next wave of growth as it reshapes how Aussies experience short-haul international flights.
