Qantas Takes Delivery of First Airbus A321XLR, Reshaping Asia-Pacific Routes.

January 12, 2026 at 06:35 AM•3 min read

Qantas, the Asia-Pacific launch operator, officially took delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR on June 30, 2025, a long-range narrowbody jet set to open new international routes.

Key Points

1Qantas Airways took delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR on June 30, 2025, becoming the Asia-Pacific launch operator.
2The A321XLR offers a maximum range of 4,700 nautical miles (8,700 km), enabling new point-to-point routes to secondary Asian cities.
3The aircraft is highly fuel-efficient, delivering 30% lower fuel burn and CO₂ emissions compared to previous generation competitor aircraft.
4The Qantas Group has a total order for 40 A321XLRs, with 28 allocated to Qantas and 12 to its low-cost subsidiary, Jetstar.

Qantas Airways has officially taken delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR aircraft. This delivery makes Qantas the Asia-Pacific launch operator for the type. The handover took place on June 30, 2025. The ceremony was held at the Airbus Finkenwerder facility in Hamburg, Germany. This marks a major milestone for the long-range narrowbody aircraft program.

Qantas's new jet flew from Hamburg to Sydney. The delivery flight included only a single crew rest stop in Bangkok. This trip demonstrated the A321XLR's extended range capabilities. The aircraft is a key part of the Qantas Group's fleet modernization plan.

A321XLR Range and Technology

The A321XLR represents the next step in the A320neo Family. It is designed to meet market needs for more range and payload. The aircraft boasts a maximum range of up to 4,700 nautical miles (8,700 km). This is the longest range of any single-aisle long-haul aircraft.

Its extended reach comes from a new design feature. This is a permanent Rear Center Tank (RCT). The RCT holds an additional 12,900 liters of fuel. The aircraft also has an increased Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) of 101.5 tonnes.

Fuel Efficiency and Operations

The A321XLR offers significant operational benefits to airlines. It delivers a reduction in fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions. This reduction is approximately 30% lower fuel burn compared to previous generation competitor aircraft. This efficiency is critical for airlines like Qantas. It helps manage costs and meet sustainability goals. The aircraft is also ready to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus aims for 100% SAF capability by 2030.

Network Impact for Qantas

The Qantas A321XLR features a two-class cabin layout. This includes 20 Business Class seats and 177 in the main cabin. The aircraft will initially fly on domestic routes across Australia. However, its primary role is to open new international routes. It will allow Qantas to explore thinner long-haul routes. This enables new point-to-point routes to secondary destinations in Asia.

This strategy lowers the financial risk of network expansion. The aircraft can serve routes that do not support a larger wide-body jet. The Qantas Group has a total order of 40 A321XLRs. Twenty-eight aircraft are for Qantas. The remaining 12 are for its low-cost subsidiary, Jetstar. This order is part of a larger commitment to the manufacturer. The A321XLR is a key tool for future network flexibility. For more commercial aviation news and industry updates, visit flying.flights. The type's long range and high efficiency are changing global route planning. Industry bodies like IATA monitor this trend closely. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) oversaw the certification process.