Qantas' New A321XLR

[moa999]

Did I imagine it, or wasn’t there very recent reporting on the A321XLRs going Trans Tasman soon?

Think that was just speculation on where else the aircraft might fly (once they have some more).

All the test flights have been golden triangle bar one trip to PER and back.

 

[SYD]

Think that was just speculation on where else the aircraft might fly (once they have some more).

There was something this week but might have been A220s to NZ (there an ET article on that). There was also something about A350s to NZ as training flights but that’s a ways off.

All the test flights have been golden triangle bar one trip to PER and back.

Yes, and with the birds now scheduled on Dom runs, not sure how they’ll do any training flights to NZ when the time comes - maybe after more aircraft arrive?

 

[evanb]

Did I imagine it, or wasn’t there very recent reporting on the A321XLRs going Trans Tasman soon? I guess that’s subject to NZ approvals?

I did see something else about A220s doing NZ ex BNE.

Yes, A220 taking over from E190/B738 on BNE-WLG. This was somewhat expected given the E190's payload restrictions on the route. There was some suspicion when it started that it was just a placeholder.

No scheduling of XLR's across the ditch yet and nothing in any of the recent announcements. Why would it be subject to NZ approvals? Unlike other countries, QF doesn't require a FOP in NZ as it's a single market. They can operate any aircraft on their register without any NZ permissions.

Edit: They did explicitly say A350-1000 to be utilised on Tasman in late 2026 to build hours before PS flights start.

 

[RooFlyer]

Just out of interest. From OMaaT

Air Canada Airbus A321XLRs will have 182 seats
Air Canada’s Airbus A321XLRs will feature a total of 182 seats, including 14 business class seats and 168 economy class seats. The planes will feature seat back entertainment, inflight Wi-Fi, and the signature Airbus interiors.

While Air Canada hasn’t fully unveiled its new Airbus A321XLR cabins, we do have a sense of what to expect. The airline has now loaded the seat map for its first A321XLR long haul flight, and it shows business class consisting of seven rows, in a 1-1 configuration.

Their first route

 

[SYD]

Why would it be subject to NZ approvals?

I was just asking but does beg the question why they didn’t throw a few SYD-AKL runs in there anyway?

Guess that comes down to getting a critical mass of crew in key home ports and the NZ based crew are probably not in the mix for now?

Just out of interest. From OMaaT



View attachment 469260

Their first route

View attachment 469261

The QF subset with lie flat seats will probably be something similar - and with extra loos!

 

[747sp]

I think Qantas is putting the A 321 into service soon .
I can see atleast one flight on the 7th of October when making a booking from Perth to Sydney

 

[evanb]

I was just asking but does beg the question why they didn’t throw a few SYD-AKL runs in there anyway?

Guess that comes down to getting a critical mass of crew in key home ports and the NZ based crew are probably not in the mix for now?

100%. It would probably mess with the scheduling of the NZ based crew on the B737-800s. So somewhat difficult to sub in the XLR for a B737-800 without a major schedule rejig. FWIW, no AKL base for the A321 FDC as yet, although that's inevitable over time.

 

[Daver6]

Some indications from ghost booking some a321 flights;
2 rows of extra legroom behind the 2 exit rows
Appears from OGD onwards row 35 A/B/C will be replaced with the 3rd toilet as per the booking seatmap
Also the official OGA/B/C seatmap is finally published; https://www.qantas.com/content/dam/.../onboard/seatmaps/airbus-a321xlr-seat-map.pdf
View attachment 469217View attachment 469218

Wouldn't it make more sense to have the third Y toilet mid-cabin?

 

[moa999]

I think Qantas is putting the A 321 into service soon .
I can see atleast one flight on the 7th of October when making a booking from Perth to Sydney

Read up a page or so.
Services commence 25 Sep.

 

[SYD]

Wouldn't it make more sense to have the third Y toilet mid-cabin?

I believe they're being retro fitted. Begs they question why they didn't come that way - hope they don't have a "VA50" moment....

 

[evanb]

I believe they're being retro fitted. Begs they question why they didn't come that way - hope they don't have a "VA50" moment....

First three production slots were originally Jetstar's. Qantas pinched the slots after the deadline for this customer specific choice had passed.

 

[cambriamarsh]

Yes, A220 taking over from E190/B738 on BNE-WLG. This was somewhat expected given the E190's payload restrictions on the route. There was some suspicion when it started that it was just a placeholder.

No scheduling of XLR's across the ditch yet and nothing in any of the recent announcements. Why would it be subject to NZ approvals? Unlike other countries, QF doesn't require a FOP in NZ as it's a single market. They can operate any aircraft on their register without any NZ permissions.

Edit: They did explicitly say A350-1000 to be utilised on Tasman in late 2026 to build hours before PS flights start.

A little off thread but JQ planes often fly NZ domestic the across the ditch then back

 

[evanb]

A little off thread but JQ planes often fly NZ domestic the across the ditch then back

Correct, they rotate through, so will spend several days in NZ before operating a scheduled sector back to Aus. JQ also have crew bases in NZ that operate those domestic sectors.

 

[moa999]

First three production slots were originally Jetstar's. Qantas pinched the slots after the deadline for this customer specific choice had passed.

Interesting. But they were still able to alter exit door positions which is different between QF and JQ Configs.

 

[elanshin]

Interesting. But they were still able to alter exit door positions which is different between QF and JQ Configs.

Could also be someone asked the really obvious question, but it was too late for the first 3 (is there enough toilets).

 

[moa999]

I'm glad they are adding an extra toilet.. but the reality is it's only two more Y rows than a QF 737. Things aren't going to get drastically worse with 7% more Y pax.

 

[evanb]

Interesting. But they were still able to alter exit door positions which is different between QF and JQ Configs.

But there's no difference with the actual doors. It's just inactivated. The door is there and just covered with a panel and slide removed. Activating it is just a matter of hours. Adding a toilet requires structural changes to floor and plumbing below the floor and is weeks of work.

 

[flyingfan]

I was sucked in to book the Sydney Melbourne Inaugural in business lol.
Also got an email saying that Platinum One is doing a giveaway for 10 members and their guests to win economy seats on the Melbourne Sydney flight.

Didn't bother entering as 1) I've never had any luck with 'tell us in 25 words' competitions and not feeling lucky and 2) I'm MEL based so it's going in the wrong direction for me. (I can't tie it in with a status run!)

 

[RooFlyer]

Didn't bother entering as 1) I've never had any luck with 'tell us in 25 words' competitions and not feeling lucky and 2) I'm MEL based so it's going in the wrong direction for me. (I can't tie it in with a status run!)

3) Its economy

 

[muppet]

Didn't bother entering as 1) I've never had any luck with 'tell us in 25 words' competitions and not feeling lucky and 2) I'm MEL based so it's going in the wrong direction for me. (I can't tie it in with a status run!)

Agreed. As soon as I see “25 words…” I roll my eyes and move on.