The two A321XLRs recently joining the Qantas fleet completed their first commercial flights yesterday, marking the beginning of a new era for Australia’s leading airline, becoming the first operator in the Asia-Pacific region to acquire this single-aisle aircraft.
Named Great Ocean Road and Outback Way, these two aircraft, among seven ordered by the Australian airline, were deployed on the two routes between Sydney and Melbourne and Sydney and Perth, replacing the Boeing 737-800s previously operated on these two routes.
197 seats, configured in a 2-2 layout, are distributed across two spacious, modern, understated, and bright cabins. Row pitch is 94 cm in Business Class and 81 cm in Economy Class, with a 12.7 cm recline accentuated by a sliding effect, for increased passenger comfort.
Both A321XLRs are also equipped with modern, high-performance Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, reducing environmental impact through reduced fuel consumption.