Qantas’ Newest Airbus A321XLR Rolls Out of Paint with Great Barrier Reef Inspired Livery

Qantas has announced that their newest Airbus A321XLR has rolled out of the Airbus paint shop in Hamburg sporting a livery inspired by the Great Barrier Reef.  The aircraft, named Coral Sea, is the seventh of 48 of the aircraft type Qantas has on order.

Qantas Airbus A321XLR 'Coral Sea' Featuring a Great Barrier Reef Foundation Livery - Courtesy Qantas

On Wednesday (May 27, 2026), Qantas announced that their newest Airbus A321XLR has rolled out of Airbus’ paint shop in Hamburg, Germany, showcasing a livery inspired by the Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven natural wonders of the world.  The new aircraft, named Coral Sea, is the seventh of 48 next generation A321XLRs Qantas has on order, and will be flown home to Australia next month.  The A321XLR is the newest addition to Qantas’ fleet and can fly over 1,600 nautical miles (3,000 km) further than the Boeing 737 aircraft it replaces.  Qantas became the first airline in Asia Pacific to operate the aircraft type when their first A321XLR, Great Ocean Road, entered service in September 2025.

In Wednesday’s announcement, Qantas’ CEO – Domestic, Markus Svensson, said,

“The A321XLR is a remarkable aircraft and Coral Sea is the seventh of this aircraft type to join the Qantas fleet.  It’s really special to unveil such a bold livery celebrating the Great Barrier Reef and its extraordinary marine life, and to mark our partnership with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation and the amazing work they do.  Queensland is a critical part of our network, and through the thousands of seats we provide into the state every week, we continue to play an important role in supporting tourism and regional connectivity.”

Also commenting on the new, eye-popping livery design, the Great Barrier Reef Foundation’s Managing Director, Anna Marsden, added,

“Few places on Earth capture the imagination quite like the Great Barrier Reef - its colours, its creatures, its sheer scale.  This aircraft will carry that story to millions of people every year, including those who are lucky enough to fly on her and the many more that will see it on the ground.  We hope it inspires people to not just visit the reef but to care about its future.”

Qantas' Newest Airbus A321XLR has been Named 'Coral Sea' and Features a Great Barrier Reef Inspired Livery - Courtesy Qantas

Qantas’ Coral Sea A321XLR livery spans both sides of the 44-meter-long aircraft, with the design a collaborative effort that celebrates Qantas’ long-term partnership with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.  The design features sea turtles, clownfish and coral from the reef, rendered in bold, bright colours across the fuselage.  Qantas has partnered with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation since 2009 and has committed $10 million over 10 years, through the Reef Restoration Fund, to help support scientists, Traditional Owners and local tourism operators seeking to restore corals across the Great Barrier Reef and other Australian coral reefs.

Source: Qantas