Qantas has confirmed the launch of its newest aircraft, the Airbus A321XLR, which completed its inaugural flights last week.
On Thursday (September 25), the airline’s two A321XLR began flying between Sydney and Melbourne and Sydney and Perth respectively.
The Australian flag carrier is the first airline in Asia Pacific to fly the new aircraft type, and the fourth globally.
The A321XLR features a wider and longer cabin than previous generation narrowbody aircraft, with wider seats, higher ceilings and larger windows.
It is five metres longer than the 737-800, and in Qantas’s configuration, will seat 197 passengers (20 business and 177 economy).
This is an increase of 13% in total seat capacity, with no reduction in space between seats and a 66% increase in business seats, the airline said.
The aircraft is powered by Pratt & Whitney geared turbo fan (GTF) PW1100G-JM.
Vanessa Hudson, CEO of Qantas Group, said the extended range will allow Qantas to operate the A321XLR on both domestic and short-haul international routes.
This will include services to destinations in South East Asia that are currently “not viable” with other narrowbody aircraft, she added.
In August this year, Qantas announced an order for an additional 20 A321XLR aircraft, including lie-flat business seats on 16 aircraft to serve longer routes. This takes Qantas’ current A321XLR order to 48 aircraft
Qantas said the A321XLR is a “key part” of its largest ever fleet renewal programme, which covers more than 200 aircraft on firm order and additional purchase right options with both Airbus and Boeing.