Australia’s flag carrier Qantas has announced an order for 20 additional Airbus A321XLR aircraft, 16 of which will for the first time in the airline’s history feature lie-flat Business Class seats in its narrowbody fleet. The purchase is part of the Group’s largest-ever fleet renewal program, aimed at gradually replacing the current narrowbody fleet.
According to the announcement, the new A321XLR configuration will deliver a premium experience on longer domestic routes, including flights between Perth and Australia’s east coast, as well as on short- and medium-haul international routes to Southeast Asia and the Pacific. The aircraft will also feature seat-back IFE systems and fast, free Wi-Fi.
The first two Qantas A321XLRs are scheduled to enter service in September, making the airline the first in Asia-Pacific to operate this aircraft type. Initially, they will be deployed on Sydney–Melbourne and Sydney–Perth routes, with seven units expected in the fleet by the end of the financial year. Meanwhile, sister airline Jetstar is due to receive its own A321XLRs from 2027, in a configuration tailored for two-class international services.
Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson emphasized that the new aircraft bring significant opportunities for growth and modernization. “These multi-billion-dollar investments have been made possible by strong financial results. The A321XLR will allow us to accelerate the retirement of our Boeing 737 fleet and open new markets, including Perth–India and Adelaide–Singapore. We will offer passengers greater comfort, a consistent premium service, and seamless connections to our long-haul network,” Hudson said.
The Airbus A321XLR has a range of up to 8,700 kilometers—over 3,000 kilometers more than the Boeing 737s currently operated by Qantas—giving the airline access to destinations that were previously not economically viable.
The Qantas Group currently has a total of 214 aircraft on order, 32 of which have been delivered by the end of June. In fiscal 2025 alone, 17 new aircraft were delivered, with that number set to rise to 20 this year. In 2027, the Group expects to take delivery of as many as 29 new aircraft, including 36 for Qantas, 10 for Jetstar, and three for Qantas Freight.
Qantas is also making progress on Project Sunrise—the first Airbus A350-1000ULR is scheduled to enter final assembly in October this year, with first deliveries expected from October 2026, subject to regulatory approval.
The new generation of aircraft will deliver greater efficiency, lower noise, reduced fuel consumption, and significantly enhanced passenger comfort, Qantas noted. Alongside fleet modernization, the airline is recruiting and training new pilots, cabin crew, and engineers, creating new jobs and further strengthening Australia’s aviation industry.
