?(Image from Airbus website)Qantas announced that it has ordered an additional 20 new Airbus A321XLR aircraft, expanding the company’s total A321XLR order to 48 aircraft.
The expansion will have 16 of the 20 be installed with lie-flat Business seats and seat back entertainment screens. These aircraft will be used on international routes, including transcontinental services to and from Perth. Qantas states that the new configuration A321XLRs will start arriving in 2028. Its first two A321XLRs were configured for domestic and short haul international flying and are expected to start operating in September on Sydney-Melbourne and Sydney-Perth routes. The company should have 7 of these aircraft by the end of the year.
“All of the next generation aircraft joining our fleet benefit from longer range, more comfort, less noise, better economics and will improve how people travel around Australia and overseas,” said Vanessa Hudson, Qantas Group CEO. “It also means we’re recruiting and training more pilots, cabin crew and engineers, creating opportunities for our people.”
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The Group’s total order is now at 214 aircraft as it invests in growing Qantas and Jetstar’s fleet. It also has additional purchase right options with Airbus and Boeing for better growth flexibility. There should have 20 aircraft delivered in 2025 and 29 in 2027, 39 of these aircraft will be for Qantas. The Group claims the introduction of the new aircraft has already brought an increase to customer satisfaction.
“Investing in new aircraft is one of the most significant ways that we can provide our customers with a better flying experience and these billion-dollar investments are possible because of our continued strong financial performance,” said Hudson. “These additional A321XLRs will accelerate the retirement of our 737 fleet and open up new opportunities for domestic and international travel, allowing us to reach destinations that aren’t possible with our current narrowbody fleet.”
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