Qantas' New A321XLR

[SYD]

Hopefully the analysis underway referred to in this article does conclude that they need a sub-fleet with a decent J seat for it to work on medium haul routes.

Eight contenders for Qantas’ flatbed A321XLR business class

These single-aisle suites are on the radar for Qantas’ international A321XLR fleet.

www.executivetraveller.com

 

[evanb]

Hopefully the analysis underway referred to in this article does conclude that they need a sub-fleet with a decent J seat for it to work on medium haul routes.

Eight contenders for Qantas’ flatbed A321XLR business class

These single-aisle suites are on the radar for Qantas’ international A321XLR fleet.

www.executivetraveller.com

It's kinda a moot point. One of the few things Qantas have done well in recent years is ensure consistency of the premium seat across the fleet. While there are some aircraft specific idiosyncrasies and some slight variation based on the exact timing of the installations, they use the Thompson Aero Vantage XL in business on all A330s, and the B789s and A380s (excluding the wet leased A330s of course).

The Project Sunrise A350s will be delivered with a new business class product and seat (Safran Unity). Presumably they'll have the same seat on the B787-10 and additional A350s (albeit a different configuration), and the B787-9 will get these during their first D-checks around 2030 (or maybe before). The A380s and most of the A330s will be exiting around that time so will probably never get it.

They've gone to great lengths to ensure this consistency. There's no reason to believe it would be any different on the XLR if and when they install a lie flat product and they'll get the Safran Unity (or specialised variation of it).

 

[moa999]

I do like the Saffran Vue product.
But think these days you can get a consistent look across different manufacturers via palette and materials customisation - which I assume is where David Cain is involved.

The actual sea might come down more to availability, price, and space efficiency on the aircraft

 

[elanshin]

They've gone to great lengths to ensure this consistency. There's no reason to believe it would be any different on the XLR if and when they install a lie flat product and they'll get the Safran Unity (or specialised variation of it).

Would you call Safron Unity in the 350 similar to Safron Vue? Going from forward facing to reverse herringbone. I don't think there will be a single non av-geek that gets on board and would thinks it's a similar seat.

 

[evanb]

Would you call Safron Unity in the 350 similar to Safron Vue? Going from forward facing to reverse herringbone. I don't think there will be a single non av-geek that gets on board and would thinks it's a similar seat.

Not quite sure what point you're making? The Safron Unity and Vue have the same seat but applied in different units and patterns. This is the same Thompson Vantage. Thompson Vantage could be applied in front facing and reverse herringbone. Single aisle can do both but if need reserve herringbone to allow all aisle access. SQ have the Thompson Vantage on their B737-8 in the forward facing, while JetBlue have it in reserve herringbone.

I'm not sure the goal is whether non-avgeeks can spot the difference but rather to have as much product consistency as possible. Some airlines don't seek this like SQ who have three distinctly different seats, or Emirates with two. When you consider it in that context then yes, regular customers will notice a broadly similar seat across the fleet even if in a different pattern to adapt to aircraft specific ideosyncracies.

 

[marcojim]

The first QF A321XLR appears to be out of final assembly

https://flic.kr/p/2qA1BVg

 

[docjames]

Not sure why it's interesting as they're not likely utilising a longhaul configuration on the XLR for close to a decade. It's a B738 replacement for them. It will have 23 to 26 more seats than the B738 so the big question is whether that necessitates a 4th lavatory. I suspect it does, but we haven't seen a seatmap yet.

I’ll suggest they will stick with the 1+2 config for toilets - JQ are 3 toilets on their 321s. Although some airlines add an additional aft lav at a cost of about 4 seats (3+1 leaving 2 on the opposite side to the additional toilet…..)

 

[evanb]

I’ll suggest they will stick with the 1+2 config for toilets - JQ are 3 toilets on their 321s. Although some airlines add an additional aft lav at a cost of about 4 seats (3+1 leaving 2 on the opposite side to the additional toilet…..)

The hint from Qantas is that the first three will be coming with 200 seats and the remaining with 197. They're removing one row in economy on one side only, hint hint ...

Suspect that they've had a change of plan and installing an extra lav. The first 3 will likely be retrofitted later.

 

[moa999]

And future VH-OGA is now in full Qantas livery. Still with temporary registration until delivery.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1890775296925716774

 

[Daver6]

What's the reason for the German flag on the top of the vertical stabiliser?

 

[muppet]

What's the reason for the German flag on the top of the vertical stabiliser?

View attachment 431815

Still registered in Germany not Aus - note the lack of “VH” rego next to the aus flag

EDIT: lol just noticed the full picture above, this one doesn’t even have engines on yet - i’m sure that German flag decal will peel right off nicely once she’s ready

 

[elanshin]

Sad there's no special livery for this, I quite liked X4A. Still looks good and hopefully we can hop onboard sooner rather than later.

 

[Lucass]

Qantas's first A321XLR has been painted in its livery. VH-OGA (Great Ocean Road) is set for delivery in April this year. I hope we see the XLR on CBR-SIN, ADL-SIN & CNS-SIN, as well as some other thin Asian routes. Very exciting, stunning plane!
Source -- Executive Traveller/Dirk Grothe

 

[Franky]

They'll look a lot better with their engines in place...

 

[DejaBrew]

They'll look a lot better with their engines in place...

Albeit slightly less fuel efficient than in their current guise

 

[jase05]

ADL-SIN &

7hrs in a recliner for J and probably charge the same as SQ. Tell ‘em they’re dreaming!

 

[DC3]

7hrs in a recliner for J and probably charge the same as SQ. Tell ‘em they’re dreaming!

And some will probably buy tickets to sit up the back.

 

[Cloud9]

Wait... Qantas is an airline!?!?

 

[SYD]

7hrs in a recliner for J and probably charge the same as SQ. Tell ‘em they’re dreaming!

Up thread, some suggestion of a lie flat sub-fleet - hopefully! Presumably QF are fully aware of VA’s disastrous HND foray.

 

[elanshin]

Up thread, some suggestion of a lie flat sub-fleet - hopefully! Presumably QF are fully aware of VA’s disastrous HND foray.

Probably also most other 321XLR operators have them and operate on long thin widebody replacement routes instead.