AFF Review: Qantas A321XLR Economy Class (SYD-MEL)

[AFF Editor]

Canonical URL

https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/qantas-a321xlr-economy-review/

Qantas Airbus A321XLR Economy Class Review is an article written by the AFF editorial team:

Qantas Airbus A321XLR Economy Class Review

We review the Economy Class seat and experience on Qantas' new Airbus A321XLR, flying from Sydney to Melbourne.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

 

[serfty]

I flew one in late October, BNE-MEL. I had been booked on a later flight but due to expected weather, Qantas had implemented "Flow Forwarding". I was able to snaffle front row economy.



I took an image of Business seating:

 

[clifford]

I can only imagine that Matt didn't go for an extra legroom seat (free for him), because AFF wanted to publish a review that was relevant to the average flyer.

 

[elanshin]

I can only imagine that Matt didn't go for an extra legroom seat (free for him), because AFF wanted to publish a review that was relevant to the average flyer.

That was probably mh understanding as well. I've been foiled now twice trying to take the 321XLR in Y. Once got a comp upgrade to J. Once my driver decided he wanted me to miss my flight. Time to try and find some more 321 flights.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The following comment from the article is interesting…

the Qantas A321XLR Economy Class seats are about an inch wider than on Qantas’ Boeing 737-800. This made a noticeable difference, which the passenger seated beside me also commented on.​

That’s the complete opposite of many comments - including mine - in the dedicated A321XLR thread here in AFF.

Somehow… dunno how… these seats seem narrower than their 737 counterparts… and certainly not as wide as a320 seats we’ve normally come to expect!

 

[Rayesfeg]

Totally agree with a couple of points from the article, especially these gems:

- I'm sure we are aware of the passenger-to-toilet ratio fiasco. I’m with Matt—fine for a quick MEL-SYD hop, but on anything longer, it could be a potential disaster unless Economy passengers are allowed to use the J-class lavs. Can you imagine the outrage..
I recently flew an A321 with China Eastern between Shanghai and Beijing (just over two hours). It had three lavs at the back of Economy, and I can confirm, it was quite chaotic during peak “nature calls” time. Passengers were lined up down the aisle. The poor crew, who were friendly and efficient, had to play trolley Tetris just to let passengers through.

- No entertainment screens: For me, it’s not necessarily about the screens—it’s the principle. A full-service carrier removing them feels like a cost-saving move disguised as “modernisation.” It leads to cost savings for Qantas, but does it save us any on fares? I suspect not.

 

[markis10]

I'm sure we are aware of the passenger-to-toilet ratio fiasco. I’m with Matt—fine for a quick MEL-SYD hop, but on anything longer, it could be a potential disaster unless Economy passengers are allowed to use the J-class lavs. Can you imagine the outrage..

All the deliveries now on will have the extra toilet and three less seats

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Totally agree with a couple of points from the article, especially these gems:

- I'm sure we are aware of the passenger-to-toilet ratio fiasco. I’m with Matt—fine for a quick MEL-SYD hop, but on anything longer, it could be a potential disaster unless Economy passengers are allowed to use the J-class lavs. Can you imagine the outrage..
I recently flew an A321 with China Eastern between Shanghai and Beijing (just over two hours). It had three lavs at the back of Economy, and I can confirm, it was quite chaotic during peak “nature calls” time. Passengers were lined up down the aisle. The poor crew, who were friendly and efficient, had to play trolley Tetris just to let passengers through.

- No entertainment screens: For me, it’s not necessarily about the screens—it’s the principle. A full-service carrier removing them feels like a cost-saving move disguised as “modernisation.” It leads to cost savings for Qantas, but does it save us any on fares? I suspect not.

They are going to add a third WC, but conversely to the example above, BA operates 321s on longish routes with just two WCs and a higher ratio of Y pax to WC (potentially 196 or more Y pax to 2 WCs) and it’s not a major issue.

And the longer the flight, the more spread out demand will be.

 

[moa999]

On the seatback without TV screens should be noted that is the QF Domestic standard going forward (BYO device), and refurbed 738s will also have TV screens removed as they receive a cabin overhaul and new seats from 2026.

(And similar for Jetstar 787s)

 

[AFF Editor]

I can only imagine that Matt didn't go for an extra legroom seat (free for him), because AFF wanted to publish a review that was relevant to the average flyer.

Exactly.

The following comment from the article is interesting…

the Qantas A321XLR Economy Class seats are about an inch wider than on Qantas’ Boeing 737-800. This made a noticeable difference, which the passenger seated beside me also commented on.​

That’s the complete opposite of many comments - including mine - in the dedicated A321XLR thread here in AFF.

Somehow… dunno how… these seats seem narrower than their 737 counterparts… and certainly not as wide as a320 seats we’ve normally come to expect!

I've spent a lot of time on Qantas 737s, and the A321XLR Economy seat definitely seemed a bit wider. I found it more comfortable and spacious overall.

Perhaps I should bring my tape measure next time to confirm!

On the seatback without TV screens should be noted that is the QF Domestic standard going forward (BYO device), and refurbed 738s will also have TV screens removed as they receive a cabin overhaul and new seats from 2026.

(And similar for Jetstar 787s)

That's also a shame...

 

[Spamam]

first attempt on the 321 was cancelled as the crew had hit their limits and there were not any replacements available. Second was a business upgrade. I liked the USB C additional power outlet. Everything else was QANTAS domestic as usual.

 

[DaveinCanberra]

Surprised that Matt G felt he could need an airsickness bag after all of his flying experience!

 

[Rayesfeg]

but conversely to the example above, BA operates 321s on longish routes with just two WCs and a higher ratio of Y pax to WC (potentially 196 or more Y pax to 2 WCs) and it’s not a major issue.

Not to stray too far off topic, I flew a (very old) BA A320 recently in Euro Business. 2 lavs at the back and one at the front for J class.
Surprisingly, Y class passengers were pulling the curtain back and coming up to use the J lavs the entire flight. The crew didn't say anything, so I take it this is normal for BA. If the same goes for their A321's, it would alleviate the queues at the rear of the cabin and might be why they chose not to configure their A321s with an additional loo. The flight time was about 4.5 hours.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Not to stray too far off topic, I flew a (very old) BA A320 recently in Euro Business. 2 lavs at the back and one at the front for J class.
Surprisingly, Y class passengers were pulling the curtain back and coming up to use the J lavs the entire flight. The crew didn't say anything, so I take it this is normal for BA. If the same goes for their A321's, it would alleviate the queues at the rear of the cabin and might be why they chose not to configure their A321s with an additional loo. The flight time was about 4.5 hours.

I wouldn’t say it’s ’normal’, and I haven’t experienced it to the extent you have. Normally the curtain stays closed on the flights I have been on.

On shorter flights there may not be the demand to use the WC. And on longer flights the demand will be spread out.

 

[NZflygirl]

I've flown this twice now. Just been lucky it's been going my way. Once SYD-MEL and once PER-SYD both in economy. The short hop was a very light load and was AWESOME! Loved it! And PER-SYD was way down the back as I was hoping for a middle seat free (no such luck!) and I was like "oh well at least I'm getting a true experience" and ALSO LOVED IT!! I'd be more than happy to fly med/long haul economy in this seat. I don't have a tape measure or anything but I feel like I've had enough butt in seat time on QFs 737s that I could just feel the difference and... I'm in love. I'm so sold on this aircraft!!! I'm yet to fly business but have flown the A220 and 737 in J and I'm sure it's going to be fine. I actually love having my own device/s and playing my own content or scrolling through QF's entertainment options and the map. My screen is better than what's onboard the 737s and I have my own content pre-downloaded. Would be nice if they had speedier downloads, but also, going across the Aussie bight and too far south it drops out completely. And I realise they're not in control of that but, would be nice to sort that in future. They have a bunch of flights that cross that bight and go pretty far south even on international legs so it's worth Qantas looking into that and I'm sure they are.

But I am just SO sold on this aircraft. It's gorgeous but most of all I find it comfortable and functional (for me as I like BYO device). Just want better wifi. Toilet was lovely too. As lovely I guess as you can describe a toilet

 

[Flyerwin]

I've flown business on these a couple of times now - the charging ports in the seat arm compartment are useful.