iscover
Qantas’ A321XLR will operate its first commercial flight later this month, with bookings now open.
The first two next-generation aircraft, VH-OGA and VH-OGB, will begin operating Sydney–Melbourne and Sydney–Perth services on 25 September, subject to regulatory approval. The third A321XLR, VH-OGC, is expected to arrive in November, having just left the paint shop in Hamburg.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
“The inaugural commercial flight will take off from Sydney for Perth, giving customers the very first taste of the comfort, space and connectivity these aircraft bring,” Markus Svensson, chief executive of Qantas Domestic, said.
“These next-generation aircraft mark an exciting new chapter for Qantas. We know many of our customers have been waiting for the opportunity to fly onboard these new aircraft, just as our teams have been looking forward to flying them.
“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 news comes after the Flying Kangaroo earlier this year ordered an extra 20 new A321XLRs from Airbus, bringing its total order book for the aircraft type to 48.
Announced as part of the airline’s annual results in August, the order will include 16 aircraft with lie-flat business seats and seat-back entertainment systems.
The A321XLR is five metres longer than the traditional 737-800s it is replacing, with the standard configuration featuring 197 seats split between 20 in business and 177 in economy, and also boasts a range 3,000km longer than its predecessor.
The first Qantas A321XLR, VH-OGA ‘Great Ocean Road’, arrived in Australia in July, with VH-OGB following in August. They will initially serve Sydney–Melbourne and Sydney–Perth, with a progressive rollout on other routes, with seven expected to arrive by the end of this financial year.
“Jetstar’s A321XLRs will begin to arrive from calendar year 2027 and will be fitted with a two-class cabin to suit international travel,” the airline added.
Qantas Group now has a firm order for 214 aircraft, with 32 already delivered as at June 30. It took delivery of 17 new aircraft in FY25, with 20 expected this financial year and 29 in 2027, including 36 for Qantas, 10 for Jetstar, and three for Qantas Freight.
[email protected]
says:An exciting time, yes and safer too with added range/reserves on transcontinental flights but guys, you need another toot down the back even better put 2 midships and as I have suggested elsewhere you need a bulkhead for BSCT’s and not just a curtain behind JCL. I note the cabin crew potential rest area but what is the plan for tech crew?