Qantas has announced that commercial bookings are available from today on its first Airbus A321XLR aircraft, marking a major milestone in the airline's fleet renewal program.
The first two A321XLRs, Great Ocean Road (VH-OGA) and Outback Way (VH-OGB), will take to the skies with commercial passengers for the first time on Thursday 25 September on Sydney-Melbourne and Sydney-Perth routes, subject to regulatory approval.
These new aircraft will offer a more comfortable flying experience for customers, with wider seats, larger windows, fast, free Wi-Fi and overhead bins that allow for around 60 per cent more bags than the Boeing 737 they will replace.
Qantas Domestic CEO Markus Svensson said Qantas customers will be the first in the Asia Pacific to experience the next-generation A321XLR when it takes to Australian skies for the first time.
"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," Mr Svensson 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."
Qantas' third A321XLR aircraft, Seven Peaks Walk (VH-OGC), rolled out of the paint shop in Hamburg this month, with Qantas expected to take delivery of the aircraft in November. By the end of this financial year, Qantas will have seven of the aircraft type.
Today's announcement follows the news that Qantas is further expanding its A321XLR fleet, increasing its A321XLR order to 48 aircraft. The expansion of the Group's largest ever fleet renewal program will see 16 of its A321XLRs configured with lie-flat Business seats and seat back entertainment screens to serve longer routes, including transcontinental services to and from Perth, and short and medium haul international routes.
Flights are available to book from 9am this morning on Qantas.com.
A321XLR COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS ON 25 SEPTEMBER
- QF645 - Sydney 10.35am - Perth 1.35pm
- QF650 - Perth 2.35pm - Sydney 8.40pm
- QF467 - Sydney 4.20pm - Melbourne 5.55pm
- QF484 - Melbourne 6.50pm - Sydney 8.15pm
A321XLR FACTS
- Qantas' A321XLR are five metres longer than the 737 and will seat 197 passengers (20 Business seats and 177 Economy seats) - 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.
- It can fly approximately 3,000km further than the 737 (at 8,700km) and opens a wider range of direct domestic and short haul international routes.
- Qantas' A321XLR are powered by Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbo Fan engines (PW1100G-JM).
- The A321XLR offers improved noise levels compared to previous generation aircraft.
- On a per seat basis, the A321XLR is expected to generate less carbon emissions per seat than the aircraft it replaces on like for like routes.
- Qantas' A321XLR fleet is named after Australian walks, rivers and roads, as a nod to the iconic travel opportunities across Australia and the importance of connecting our vast landscape.
MEDIA ASSETS
