Qantas has recently released images of the airline’s first A321XLR on the Airbus final assembly line in Hamburg, Germany.
The ultra-long-range aircraft, registered VH-OGA, is scheduled for delivery in April 2025 and is part of an order for 28 jets that will replace the Boeing 737s currently in service.
“These new aircraft are part of the biggest domestic fleet renewal program in Qantas’ history, which is bringing significant improvements for customers and career opportunities for our people,” said Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson.
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According to Qantas, the A321XLR will debut first on domestic routes in Australia and will be configured with 197 seats – 20 in business class and 177 in economy.
More than 240 of the carrier’s pilots will be trained to fly the aircraft over the next three years, Hudson explained.
The A321XLR made its first long-haul flight on November 14, on the Madrid-Boston route, operated by launch customer Iberia.
The jet, however, is powered by CFM Leap-1C engines, a version of which the A321XLR received EASA certification in July.
Qantas’ aircraft, meanwhile, will fly with the Pratt & Whitney GTF (PW1100G-JM), a turbofan that has not yet been approved for commercial service.
Airbus expects the European civil aviation agency to give its approval for the variant in early 2025, in time for delivery to Qantas and other customers.
It is estimated that around 500 A321XLRs have been ordered since the program launched in June 2019. The jet can fly non-stop up to 4,700 nm (8,700 km), enough to take on transoceanic routes.
