VIVAERO

Qantas unveils its first A321 XLR, which will be capable of flying from Australia to China and India

The first Qantas Airbus A321 XLR has already been seen at the factory, now displaying its new identity, marking the start of operations of the A320 family by the Australian airline.

Named Great Ocean Road and identified by the registration VH-OGA, the aircraft sports the characteristic livery of the Australian airline, including the emblematic Airbus “mask” around the cockpit windows, a trademark of the A320neo family.

The aircraft is now in the final phase of preparation, when the engines will be installed, enabling the model to enter into operation in the coming months.

With this acquisition, Qantas is positioned among the pioneers to incorporate this new, state-of-the-art jet into its portfolio, expanding its connection options between strategic destinations.

Designed to operate both domestic routes within Australia and international flights, the A321 XLR promises to offer direct connections to cities such as Hong Kong, Tokyo and Bangalore, linking important urban centers in the Southeast Asia and Pacific Islands region. For example, routes such as Sydney to Hong Kong and Brisbane to Tokyo are possible with the new aircraft.

The A321 XLR's interior layout features a Business Class that will feature 20 seats arranged in a 2-2 configuration, while the Economy Class will offer 177 seats arranged in a 3-3 configuration.

In addition to modernizing its fleet, Qantas has adopted a symbolic tribute to name its new jets. Each A321 XLR will be named after a major road, river or iconic trail in Australia, highlighting the country's landscapes and travel opportunities.

In the case of the first aircraft, the name Great Ocean Road is a reference to the famous 240-kilometre route that winds along the coast of Victoria, passing through landscapes of cliffs, rainforests and lush beaches, representing the best of regional Australian tourism.

The A321 XLR also marks the debut of the Airbus A320 family of jets for the Australian airline, which has previously flown A300 aircraft and has the larger A330 and A380 in its fleet, in addition to having orders for the A380, thus completing the operation of all Airbus aircraft families.