Qantas' New A321XLR

[DC3]

Feel free to come down and join the queue for the Y toilets

And have a catch-up with those AFFers who insist that they always select seats next to the toilets.

 

[moa999]

Initially, the first A321XLR will probably enable the capacity to be able to start refurbishing the younger 737 aircraft with the new seats etc.

And the 332 refurbishment.
Which will shrink the 332 fleet from 16 to 10 with EBA-EBD, EBJ, EBK likely retired.

 

[Kingo42]

Qantas have released the names of a321s #2-6, OGB-OGF via instagram
Outback Way, Bibbulmun Track, Murray River, Red Centre Way and Seven Peaks Walk

 

[Kingo42]

Now VH-OGA has made its first flight, another step closer to delivery

https://aviation.flights/aib/A320/12323

 

[moa999]

Qantas have released the names of a321s #2-6, OGB-OGF via instagram

All similar themed, so none of those names would suggest a special livery.

 

[Ansett]

I thought that they may have had a special Livery for the first one like they did with the A220.

 

[Lucass]

I wonder if Qantas will use the A321XLR instead of the a330-200 on some routes so the a330s can be redeployed or open up new routes. They could also increase frequency with the A321 e.g replace x3 weekly Melbourne to Jakarta with 4-5x weekly A321XLRs

 

[evanb]

I wonder if Qantas will use the A321XLR instead of the a330-200 on some routes so the a330s can be redeployed or open up new routes. They could also increase frequency with the A321 e.g replace x3 weekly Melbourne to Jakarta with 4-5x weekly A321XLRs

It's part of the calculus, but not CGK routes since these are cargo heavy. CGK will remain A330 for the time being but will replace a lot of domestic and Tasman A330 flying.

 

[Lucass]

It's part of the calculus, but not CGK routes since these are cargo heavy. CGK will remain A330 for the time being but will replace a lot of domestic and Tasman A330 flying.

Do you think Mel/syd-Perth routes currently operated by a330s will be replaced by a321xlrs?

 

[elanshin]

It's part of the calculus, but not CGK routes since these are cargo heavy. CGK will remain A330 for the time being but will replace a lot of domestic and Tasman A330 flying.

Are there even any trans tasman 330 left that isn't positioning flights? (I believe the BNE AKL is so the crew can then operate BNE LAX).

SYD-MEL 330 flights i have to believe are positioning as well.

So that just leaves PER flights.

 

[evanb]

Are there even any trans tasman 330 left that isn't positioning flights? (I believe the BNE AKL is so the crew can then operate BNE LAX).

SYD-MEL 330 flights i have to believe are positioning as well.

So that just leaves PER flights.

Don't think I've ever heard of specific aircraft being utilised to position crew. They have no problem positioning NZ based crew to MEL without A330 flights. Suspect it's more about aircraft utilisation given that they try to keep the HGW A332's in BNE for the LAX flights.

While they certainly do use SYD-MEL/BNE flights to move A330s around they're very much for redundancy capacity, especially during summer months when they have greater need to reduce sectors due to ATFM flow rate reductions. In many cases they could rotate A330s through SIN, HKG, NRT, etc (as they already do).

 

[evanb]

Do you think Mel/syd-Perth routes currently operated by a330s will be replaced by a321xlrs?

Kinda. They're pretty much replacing B737s but they'll still utilise widebodies for redundancy capacity.

 

[moa999]

Do you think Mel/syd-Perth routes currently operated by a330s will be replaced by a321xlrs?

Likely.. with the 332s being reduce to 10 and being refurbed, I think its fairly clear that these will be primarily used for international (with good seatback IFE).

Whereas domestic aircraft (new 321XLRs and refurbed 737s will be BYO device.

With some exceptions of I suspect mostly 787s and later A350s operating domestic flights to the Perth scissor.