Qantas' New A321XLR

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

Had my first 321 experience today. I was on a later flight which got shafted but managed to move ahead to an earlier which meant a very rushed departure from the office but managed to keep my signature seat. This meant I got to witness the crew trying to figure out where everything was guided by an onboard trainer.

The cabin felt a lot more spacious and I was in the final 10 to board and plenty of overhead bins for row 1. I didn’t test the recline or charging capabilities as was a short afternoon service.

The service was just as efficient as 737 with two staff serving J with the second starting at row 3. The only feedback would be that the second person helping in J stayed in the galley to pack things away which meant one active crew for the whole cabin to do top-ups so not as proactive as the 737.

The tray table was large and sturdy enough for me but the person nextdoor had the pie and seemed to be struggling when applying cutting pressure. Picture for scale attached

 

[jase05]

But having said that I have to acknowledge that the meals on TK narrow bodies are very good as well. So I guess it is possible to get a good meal on a narrow body after all.

My meal on VN today on a A321 was one of the best meals I’ve had.
Flight was just under 3hrs but superb meal, and superb staff made up for the non flat bed seats and no wiFi. Curtain and staff stopped every single interloper who tried to use the J loo too

 

[RealtimeY]

Just saw my flight QF448 MEL-SYD in J was on VH-OGA but has been swapped to a 737

 

[aaa99]

Just saw my flight QF448 MEL-SYD in J was on VH-OGA but has been swapped to a 737

Same here QF426.

Vh-oga is still stuck in Sydney. All flights to Sydney might be delayed due to the fog

 

[torks]

Same here QF426.

Vh-oga is still stuck in Sydney. All flights to Sydney might be delayed due to the fog

Lots of delays and diversions in Sydney this morning due to fog.

 

[aaa99]

I filtered to MEL-SYD route on FR24 and here all the flights currently stuck in Melbourne

 

[SYD]

Vh-oga is still stuck in Sydney. All flights to Sydney might be delayed due to the fog

Lots of delays and diversions in Sydney this morning due to fog.

Operating ok at the moment.

We landed about 10mins early about 30mins ago but still waiting for a gate…

 

[DejaBrew]

Well hello there! Fancy seeing you here in SYD!

 

[moa999]

Report that delivery of 3rd aircraft OQC might be delayed after it sustained ground damage.
It had been scheduled for flight from mid-November.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1981108189618983005

 

[RooFlyer]

Another article on the American Airlines A321XLR. Can't say I'm a fan of the J seats - difficult window view and much like the old CX coffin seats.

American Airlines Airbus A321XLR: Swanky New 155-Seat Jet Joins Fleet

American Airlines has added the Airbus A321XLR to its fleet. Here's what to expect from this game changing 155-seat long haul aircraft.

onemileatatime.com

 

[anat0l]

Another article on the American Airlines A321XLR. Can't say I'm a fan of the J seats - difficult window view and much like the old CX coffin seats.

American Airlines Airbus A321XLR: Swanky New 155-Seat Jet Joins Fleet

American Airlines has added the Airbus A321XLR to its fleet. Here's what to expect from this game changing 155-seat long haul aircraft.

onemileatatime.com

I have to admit after reading your comment, how is it different to the reverse herringbone (not called the "coffin seats") which most people agree is a baseline acceptable product, and is supposed to have a minimum OK window view? CX, of course, have plenty of these reverse herringbone seats as the backbone of their J product, especially on longhaul (notwithstanding the new Aria J).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I have to admit after reading your comment, how is it different to the reverse herringbone (not called the "coffin seats") which most people agree is a baseline acceptable product, and is supposed to have a minimum OK window view? CX, of course, have plenty of these reverse herringbone seats as the backbone of their J product, especially on longhaul (notwithstanding the new Aria J).

The new AA seats in the article are herringbone seats, back to the window, as opposed to reverse herringbone, which is the current CX offering (pre aria).

Herringbone seats lack good window viewing.

The pre reverse-herringbone seats on CX were much more like the original VS and NZ seats, herringbone, but thin and narrow. Actually compared to VS and NZ, the CX ‘coffins’ weren’t nearly as bad. The seats on the upper deck, when fully reclined, aligned your head perfectly with the windows… so you could be lying down on your stomach and peering down through the window at the world going by below.

I read CX has (is?) bringing back 17 regional 777-300s, with regional seating. So their long haul product is far from guaranteed around asia.

 

[elanshin]

Another article on the American Airlines A321XLR. Can't say I'm a fan of the J seats - difficult window view and much like the old CX coffin seats.

American Airlines Airbus A321XLR: Swanky New 155-Seat Jet Joins Fleet

American Airlines has added the Airbus A321XLR to its fleet. Here's what to expect from this game changing 155-seat long haul aircraft.

onemileatatime.com

Perhaps for the American passenger this is perfectly fine. Window shades are down by default so noone cares about looking out the window. Jetblue also runs a similar cabin.

 

[RooFlyer]

I have to admit after reading your comment, how is it different to the reverse herringbone (not called the "coffin seats") which most people agree is a baseline acceptable product, and is supposed to have a minimum OK window view? CX, of course, have plenty of these reverse herringbone seats as the backbone of their J product, especially on longhaul (notwithstanding the new Aria J).

I haven't flown CX for at least 8 years. I'm pretty sure they have changed the old J seat I was recalling - which was widely called coffins - the ones with a high aluminium divider on the sides IIRC. Can't find a pic now, sorry.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I haven't flown CX for at least 8 years. I'm pretty sure they have changed the old J seat I was recalling - which was widely called coffins - the ones with a high aluminium divider on the sides IIRC. Can't find a pic now, sorry.

The ones here! Cathay Pacific – Business Class – Hong Kong to Bali (B747) – The Luxury Traveller

 

[moa999]

The 'coffins' were thin and narrow but your feet in bed mode were uncovered.

Most modern designs (including AAs) use foot cubbies under the side tables essentially allowing you to double count space.

The herringbone ones are generally slightly more space efficient as you can fit more of the seat in the curved sidewall, whereas you generally have a flat aisle wall for the reverse herring one designs