For those unfamiliar with Qantas (which seems highly unlikely), they’re Australia’s flag carrier and a household name in aviation. The airline operates a vast domestic and international network with a mix of Airbus and Boeing aircraft. But now, Qantas is gearing up for a major fleet refresh, and the headline news is the arrival of its first Airbus A321XLR in April.
In This Post
Qantas Current Fleet.
Before we dive into the A321XLR, here’s what Qantas is currently flying:
- 6 Airbus A321
- 18 Airbus A330-200
- 10 Airbus A330-300
- 8 Airbus A380
- 75 Boeing 737-800
- 14 Boeing 787-9
The A321XLR’s arrival in April marks a significant shift in Qantas fleet strategy. It will eventually replace the airline’s ageing 737-800s on domestic and regional international routes.
A321XLR – A Game Changer for Qantas.
Qantas CEO had this to say about the highly anticipated arrival of the A321XLR:
“Qantas will be one of the first airlines in the world to operate the A321XLR, and before the arrival of our first aircraft next year, we’ve started pilot training and finalised the details of the customer experience. Nearly half of all customers Qantas carries each year travel on our 737 fleet, so the A321XLR aircraft we’ve ordered to replace them will be significant for our future. The A321XLR is a fantastic aircraft to be part of our next-generation fleet, and its range and versatility will give us the opportunity to explore more nonstop routes and operate them cost-effectively.”
The Qantas A321XLR will feature 197 seats, with a 2-2 business class layout similar to Aeromexico’s Boeing 737 MAX-8 Review here. Here’s what the cabin will look like:
- 20 Business Class seats (2-2 configuration)
- 177 Economy Class seats
This is a big deal, as the A321XLR offers significantly more range than the Boeing 737-800. This allows Qantas to expand into longer-haul regional routes, possibly opening up new direct city pairs across Australia and into Southeast Asia. See below the pictures courtesy of Dirk Grothe | Aviation Photography.
the first of 28 A321 XLR ordered by @Qantas has left the paint-shop at Airbus Hamburg today and will be VH-OGA, later named “Great Ocean Road”, Qantas will operate the XLR to destinations in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands by replacing the Boeing 737…
delivery of the… pic.twitter.com/vFpGocGetH— Dirk Grothe | Aviation Photography (@digro65) February 15, 2025
What About Project Sunrise?
While the A321XLR is the big news, Qantas ambitious Project Sunrise is still moving forward. The airline has ordered 24 Airbus A350-1000s and is set to launch nonstop flights from Sydney and Melbourne to London and New York starting in mid-2026.
The A350-1000 will be configured with just 238 seats, including:
- 6 First Class suites
- 52 Business Class seats
- 40 Premium Economy seats
- 140 Economy seats
A key highlight of this aircraft is the introduction of a dedicated wellness zone, which aims to make ultra-long-haul travel slightly less torturous. Whether this is a revolutionary innovation or just a glorified yoga mat section remains to be seen, but I’m intrigued.
Final Thoughts.
The real star of the show is the A321XLR, which will land in April. It’s set to be a game changer for Qantas’s domestic and short-haul international network. This is the airline’s biggest step yet in modernising its 737-heavy fleet, and I’m excited to see which new routes Qantas will unlock with its extended range.
And as for Project Sunrise? That’s a story for another day—but trust me, I’ll keep an eye on that wellness zone.
