Australia's Qantas Airways is set to become the Asia-Pacific launch operator of the latest generation single aisle A-321XLR following the delivery of its first aircraft from the Airbus assembly line in Finkenwerder, Hamburg. 

Reflecting the long range capability of the A-321XLR, the aircraft is flying from the Airbus facility to Sydney with just one crew rest stop in Bangkok.

Powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, the Qantas A-321XLR features a two class layout with 20 seats in Business Class and 177 in the main cabin. The airline will initially operate the airplane on domestic services across Australia, with potential to open future new services on secondary routes to Asia.

Altogether the Qantas Group has ordered 40 units under its fleet modernisation programme, with 28 aircraft allocated to the Australian carrier and 12 to its low-cost subsidiary Jetstar. These are part of the airline’s outstanding orders with Airbus for 128 single aisle aircraft and 24 A-350/1000 widebodies.

The model is the next step of the A-320neo Family, responding to market needs for more range and payload.

In typical airline service it offers the longest range of any single aisle aircraft -up to 4,700 nautical miles- and brings a reduction in fuel consumption and carbon emissions compared with previous generation aircraft. To date the industry has secured more than 500 orders for the type. 

As with all Airbus aircraft, the A-321XLR aircraft is already able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus is targeting to have its aircraft capable of flying with up to 100% SAF by 2030.