Qantas Orders 20 Additional A321XLRs, 16 with Lie-Flat Business Seats
Qantas has placed an order for 20 more Airbus A321XLR aircraft, expanding its fleet renewal program. Sixteen of the new aircraft will be fitted with lie-flat Business seats and seatback entertainment screens, marking the first time Qantas will introduce lie-flat seating on narrowbody aircraft. These aircraft will be used on longer domestic routes, such as transcontinental services to and from Perth, as well as on short- and medium-haul international flights.
The new A321XLRs are scheduled to begin arriving in 2028, increasing Qantas’ total order for the type to 48 aircraft. The aircraft’s extended range of up to 8,700 kilometres—more than 3,000 kilometres further than the Boeing 737 it will replace—will enable Qantas to operate direct flights to additional destinations in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.
Qantas’ first two A321XLRs, designed for domestic and short-haul international routes, are due to begin commercial operations in mid-September 2025. They will initially serve Sydney–Melbourne and Sydney–Perth routes before being deployed more widely. By the end of this financial year, seven A321XLRs are expected to be in service. Jetstar will also begin receiving its A321XLRs from 2027, configured with two-class cabins for international routes.
The aircraft will progressively replace Qantas’ Boeing 737 fleet and support network expansion. Features of the new narrowbody aircraft include lie-flat Business seats, seatback entertainment, and Wi-Fi connectivity.
The Qantas Group currently has firm orders for 214 aircraft across Qantas, Jetstar, and Qantas Freight, with 32 delivered as of June 30. The Group plans to take delivery of 20 new aircraft in the current financial year, 29 in FY27, and its first Project Sunrise A350-1000ULR from October 2026.
Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said the expansion of the A321XLR fleet represented a significant step in the Group’s fleet renewal program.
“Investing in new aircraft is one of the most significant ways that we can provide our customers with a better flying experience and these billion-dollar investments are possible because of our continued strong financial performance,” Ms Hudson said.
“These additional A321XLRs will accelerate the retirement of our 737 fleet and open up new opportunities for domestic and international travel, allowing us to reach destinations that aren’t possible with our current narrowbody fleet.
“Not only will the A321XLRs help us serve the corporate market travelling between Perth and the east coast of Australia, they will also allow us to expand flying on existing routes into South East Asia and open up new possibilities like Perth-India and Adelaide-Singapore.
“The lie-flat Business seats, seat back screens and fast and free Wi-Fi will provide a consistent premium experience for our customers who fly domestically with Qantas and connect onto our long haul services.
“All of the next generation aircraft joining our fleet benefit from longer range, more comfort, less noise, better economics and will improve how people travel around Australia and overseas. It also means we’re recruiting and training more pilots, cabin crew and engineers, creating opportunities for our people,” Ms Hudson added.
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