Qantas Places Incremental Order for 20 New Airbus A321XLRs, 16 to Feature Lie-Flat Business Class Seats

Qantas has announced an order for an additional 20 Airbus A321XLR aircraft, including the introduction of lie-flat Business seats on their single-aisle aircraft for the very first time.

Qantas Airbus A321XLR - Courtesy Airbus

On Thursday (August 28, 2025), Qantas announced that they have placed an incremental order for 20 additional Airbus A321XLRs, 16 of which will feature lie-flat Business Class seats, a first for the carrier’s single-aisle fleet.  The newly configured A321XLRs will begin arriving in 2028, expanding the airline’s total order for the type to 48 aircraft.  Qantas’ first two A321XLRs, which are configured for domestic and short haul international flying, are expected to start operating commercial flights in mid-September 2025, making Qantas the first Asia-Pacific airline to operate the type. 

In Thursday’s announcement, Qantas Group’s CEO, Vanessa Hudson, said,

“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.  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.”

Qantas Airbus A321XLR Fact Sheet - Courtesy Qantas

Qantas’ new A321XLRs will initially operate from Sydney to Melbourne and Perth, before rolling out across other routes.  By the end of FY 2026, the carrier will have seven A321XLRs, while Jetstar’s A321XLRs will begin to arrive from calendar year 2027, and will feature a two-class cabin to suit international travel.  With an extended range of up to 4,698 nautical miles (8,700 km), more than 1,619 nautical miles (3,000 km) further than the Boeing 737 it replaces, the A321XLR will enable Qantas to launch direct flights to destinations across Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands that are not currently viable.

Source: Qantas