Wider seats, bigger bins: New Qantas Airbus’ first flight takes off

Qantas customers may note some nifty new features on board domestic flights from Thursday as the first two of its new Airbus A321XLR aircraft enter commercial service, part of the Qantas Group’s multibillion-dollar fleet overhaul.

The long-awaited next-generation planes, christened Outback Way (VH-OGB) and Great Ocean Road (VH-OGA), takes to the skies on Thursday with an inaugural Sydney-Perth (10.35am) and Sydney-Melbourne service (6.50pm).

The inaugural Qantas A321XLR Sydney-to-Perth route takes off on Thursday.

The new planes will replace Qantas’ ageing Boeing 737s, and feature wider economy seats, larger windows and fast, free Wi-Fi. The aircraft also addresses a common passenger pain point: new larger overhead bins feature 60 per cent more baggage space.

Last month, Qantas announced orders for an additional 20 A321XLRs, taking its total Airbus orders to 48 aircraft, in a bid to accelerate its fleet renewal program.

Crucially, the highly efficient single-aisle planes can fly 8700 kilometres – more than 3000 kilometres further than the 737 (the “XLR” in the A321’s name stands for “extra long range”) – opening up more domestic and short-haul international routes for the airline, while taking pressure off existing crowded routes.

While new international routes are yet to be confirmed for the A321XLR, Qantas domestic chief executive Markus Svensson said the extended range opened up the possibility of adding “destinations across South-East Asia and the Pacific Islands that are not viable with our current narrowbody fleet”.

Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson has previously indicated the aircraft will lead to an increase in routes to South-East Asia. Perth-India is also a possibility.

The A321XLR increases seat capacity to 197 passengers.

Five metres longer than its 737 predecessor, and with lower carbon emissions per seat, the new A321XLR can carry 197 passengers. It has 20 business class seats (up from 12) and 177 economy seats (up from 162), marking an overall 13 per cent increase in seat capacity

The additional capacity hasn’t eaten into space between seats; economy remains unaffected, while business customers come out ahead with 66 per cent more legroom.

Business class seats include wireless charging pads and an extendable cocktail table.

Business class seats have a pitch of 37 inches (94 centimetres), with a recline of five inches (12.7 centimetres) and a six-way adjustable headrest, calf rest and footrest, with a 2-2 configuration. The seats feature reddish-brown leather covers, wireless charging pads and dual USB A and C charging ports, as well as an extendable cocktail table and in-arm tray table with built-in tablet holder.

Economy seats are wider than those in the 737s at 17.6 inches (44.7 centimetres), up from 17 inches (43.2 centimetres), with a pitch of 30 inches (76.2 centimetres), in a 3-3 configuration. Seats feature extra cushioning, six-way leather adjustable headrests, drop-down device holders, adjustable meal tables and dual USB A and C charging ports.

Economy seats are wider than those of the 737s at 17.6 inches.

The redesigned seats incorporate new materials and a refreshed colour scheme, while the longer cabin’s higher ceilings and larger windows invite more natural light, creating a brighter, more spacious feel.

While A321s flying domestic routes will not have seatback screens, Qantas has plans to configure 16 of the new aircraft with entertainment screens to service longer routes, including transcontinental flights from Perth, and short- and medium-haul international routes.

The launch forms part of the airline’s biggest domestic fleet renewal to date, Project Winton, announced in 2022 and much delayed due to COVID-related supply chain disruptions in securing parts.

Qantas is expected to take delivery of its third A321XLR aircraft, Seven Peaks Walk (VH-OGC), in November, with seven of the aircraft on track for rollout before the end of the financial year.

Virgin Australia’s first Embraer 190-E2 aircraft touches down in Perth.

In more good news for domestic flyers, Virgin Australia took delivery of its first Embraer 190-E2 narrowbody jet earlier this month. The new aircraft will primarily service charter routes, while supporting regional routes in Western Australia from next month, including destinations like Darwin, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Port Hedland and Broome.

The writer flew as a guest of Qantas.

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