Qantas passengers will be the first in Asia Pacific to fly on Airbus A321XLRs with the initial two aircraft set to embark on commercial domestic flights on 25 September 2025, subject to regulatory approval. Keen flyers can now book the inaugural flights today.
Named Great Ocean Road (VH-OGA) and Outback Way (VH-OGB), the first two A321XLRs mark a milestone for the QF fleet renewal, replacing the Boeing 737 on Sydney–Melbourne and Sydney–Perth routes.
The next-gen aircraft will offer a more comfortable flying experience with wider seats, larger windows, fast, free Wi-Fi and overhead bins that allow 60 per cent more bags that the B737.
It can accommodate 197 passengers (20 Business and 177 Economy) – an increase of 13 per cent in total seat capacity with no reduction in space between seats and a 66 per cent increase in premium seats.
The aircraft can also fly approximately 3,000km further than the 737 (at 8,700km) and opens a wider range of direct domestic and short-haul international routes for the narrowbody fleet.
Domestic CEO Markus Svensson said the next-gen aircraft mark an exciting new chapter as commercial bookings for the inaugural flights opened on 12 September 2025.
“We know many of our customers have been waiting for the opportunity to fly on board these new aircraft, just as our teams have been looking forward to flying them,” he said.
“The extended flight range will also enable us to operate these aircraft on both domestic and short-haul international routes, including destinations across South-East Asia and the Pacific Islands that are not currently viable with our current narrowbody fleet.”
The Group has also bumped up its A321XLR order to 48 aircraft. Its largest-ever fleet renewal program will see 16 of the new aircraft configured with lie-flat Business seats and seat-back entertainment screens for longer routes, including transcontinental services to and from Perth and short- and medium-haul international routes.
QF expects to take delivery of a third A321XLR – Seven Peaks Walk (VH-OGC) – in November with a total of seven aircraft due by the end of FY26.
For more info, head to qantas.com
