Carrier To Become Launch Operator of Latest-Gen Single-Aisle

Australian airline Qantas Airways will become the launch operator in the Asia-Pacific Region of the Airbus A231XLR, when the aircraft arrives from the assembly line in Finkenwerder, Hamburg, Germany.

The delivery flight from Finkenwerder to Sidney reflects the long-range capability of the aircraft with just one crew rest stop in Bangkok, Thailand.

Qantas has ordered a total of 40 A321XLRs as part of its fleet modernization program. Twenty-eight of those will be allocated to Qantas and the remaining 12 to its low-cost subsidiary Jetstar. The aircraft are part of in-process orders from Airbus for 128 single-aisle aircraft and 24 A350-1000 widebodies.

The Qantas A321XLRs are powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines and feature a two-class configuration with 20 seats in Business Class and 177 in the main cabin. The carrier will operate the aircraft initially on domestic routes across Australia with potential to open new routes to Asia.

Airbus says in typical airline service the aircraft has the longest range of any single-aisle aircraft – up to 4,700 nm – along with a reduction  in fuel consumption and carbon emissions of 30% compared with previous generation competitor aircraft.

Airbus has an order book of over 500 orders for this aircraft.

All Airbus aircraft including the A321XLR are currently able to run on up to 505 Sustainable Aviation Fuel, and the company is aiming to have 100% SAF capability by 2030.

FMI:  www.airbus.com/