Qantas' New A321XLR

[evanb]

QF probably should revise down this page then?

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/about-us/our-company/fleet/qantas-a321.html

No, and you're being obtuse. Nowhere on the page does it say they'll fly any of these routes and the page explicitly states it'll replace the B737. In terms of its extended range, it says "The A321XLR could open a world of opportunity with more direct Australian domestic and international routes like Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands." So you're choosing to read that pretty obtusely, especially with the more detailed comments in media interviews.

In terms of the range charts, the aircraft certainly can fly that distance and the material on that page doesn't suggest it will. That same page also says the B737-800 can fly Perth-Singapore, something it obviously doesn't do.

 

[Chrizztofa]

In terms of the range charts, the aircraft certainly can fly that distance and the material on that page doesn't suggest it will. That same page also says the B737-800 can fly Perth-Singapore, something it obviously doesn't do.

The B737-800 did fly PER-SIN for a few years around the mid 2010s. If I recall correctly QF had dropped PER-SIN entirely around 2014 before bringing it back on the 737 in 2015 (and then switching it back to the A330 a few years later).

 

[LionKing]

VH-OGB is currently en route to Bangkok/BKK and is rumoured to arrive in Australia by Monday morning as QF6041.
Not sure which port will this plane arrive, but likely will be in time for results announcement on Thursday this week.

 

[evanb]

The B737-800 did fly PER-SIN for a few years around the mid 2010s. If I recall correctly QF had dropped PER-SIN entirely around 2014 before bringing it back on the 737 in 2015 (and then switching it back to the A330 a few years later).

But they don't now, which is the point

VH-OGB is currently en route to Bangkok/BKK and is rumoured to arrive in Australia by Monday morning as QF6041.
Not sure which port will this plane arrive, but likely will be in time for results announcement on Thursday this week.

BNE for its EIS check-in. They'll all go to BNE. The first only went to SYD for (what was supposed to be) the fanfare, went straight to BNE after.

 

[SYD]

No, and you're being obtuse. Nowhere on the page does it say they'll fly any of these routes

“Extra Long Range performance ​

The A321XLR could open a world of opportunity with more direct Australian domestic and international routes like Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.”

Granted, it says “could”, not “will” but the teaser is there. Much more than just triangle routes that 737s do today.

Plus, QF are on record as saying they’re looking at destinations further afield and a sub-fleet but yes, not in the short term.

“Internationally the XLRs will be able to enter markets we haven’t been able to commercially operate,” Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson has previously told Executive Traveller, citing potential overseas XLR routes such as “Adelaide-Singapore, Canberra-Singapore” as well as flights from Darwin and Perth, and “up into India (and) Malaysia.”

“One of the options is a sub-fleet with a lie-flat product” which would tackle international routes, and “we’re looking at the layout right now.”

https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/qantas-airbus-a321xlr

 

[evanb]

“Extra Long Range performance ​

Granted, it says “could”, not “will” but the teaser is there. Much more than just triangle routes that 737s do today.

I think this is the presumption of where you misunderstand the B737 fleet and what it does. The triangle is hardly it's only work. As surprising as it might be, the triangle is not even the majority of its flying. 40% of its flying is sectors 3 hours and greater (lower on the non-overwater birds, higher on the overwater birds). They fly all but one Tasman flight. They fly the majority of transcon, plus some Bali and Pacific.

 

[evanb]

“Internationally the XLRs will be able to enter markets we haven’t been able to commercially operate,” Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson has previously told Executive Traveller, citing potential overseas XLR routes such as “Adelaide-Singapore, Canberra-Singapore” as well as flights from Darwin and Perth, and “up into India (and) Malaysia.”

“One of the options is a sub-fleet with a lie-flat product” which would tackle international routes, and “we’re looking at the layout right now.”

https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/qantas-airbus-a321xlr

Indeed. They have 28 on order with this domestic configuration. They have options for 94 more without a defined configuration. Assuming one-for-one replacement of the 75 B737s, that gives them significant scope for growth.

Not to belabour the point again I've made before, this is a hypothetical about a future configuration that they're still looking at that would be about a decade in the future. Not the current configuration that is replacing the B737s. What David's article didn't say was that this 10 years out.

 

[SYD]

I think this is the presumption of where you misunderstand the B737 fleet and what it does. The triangle is hardly its only work. As surprising as it might be, the triangle is not even the majority of its flying. 40% of its flying is sectors 3 hours and greater (lower on the non-overwater birds, higher on the overwater birds). They fly all but one Tasman flight. They fly the majority of transcon, plus some Bali and Pacific.

No misunderstanding. I’ve flown most of those on a 737 (except DPS - not doing a redeye on one to get home)…

Indeed. They have 28 on order with this domestic configuration. They have options for 94 more without a defined configuration. Assuming one-for-one replacement of the 75 B737s, that gives them significant scope for growth.

and that comes back to the comment about the desire for a future config that’ll be a little nicer than the current batch coming.

Not the current configuration that is replacing the B737s. What David's article didn't say was that this 10 years out.

Yes, most of us realise that.

 

[Himeno]

Media outlets in Canberra are convinced that QF will use the XLR for CBR-SIN, based on the range maps Qantas made and what cities are highlighted. ACT gov and the airport have also mentioned the possiblity of XLR CBR-SIN flights.

 

[AuSammy]

Media outlets in Canberra are convinced that QF will use the XLR for CBR-SIN, based on the range maps Qantas made and what cities are highlighted. ACT gov and the airport have also mentioned the possiblity of XLR CBR-SIN flights.

CBR seems to have many predictions over the years which did not bear out in the fullness of time. Another one?

 

[moa999]

And then there were two.

Now waiting for the announcement about first passenger flights.
Suspecting it might be announced alongside FY results now. (Due Thu 28 Aug)

 

[LionKing]

VH-OGB has arrived BNE as QF6045 an hour ago.
I hope A321XLR can roll out into service soon.

 

[LionKing]

Media outlets in Canberra are convinced that QF will use the XLR for CBR-SIN, based on the range maps Qantas made and what cities are highlighted. ACT gov and the airport have also mentioned the possiblity of XLR CBR-SIN flights.

I really hope this is soon and available by the end of the year.
I am sure international students would love this service out of CBR to SIN, as changing at Changi would bring great convenience for Chinese international students at ANU.

 

[LionKing]

And then there were two.

Now waiting for the announcement about first passenger flights.
Suspecting it might be announced alongside FY results now. (Due Thu 28 Aug)

I suspect this is the likely case with FY results out on 28th August they might have route announcements for the A321XLRs. I do hope there will be more orders coming soon.

 

[Warragul]

I really hope this is soon and available by the end of the year.
I am sure international students would love this service out of CBR to SIN, as changing at Changi would bring great convenience for Chinese international students at ANU.

Well it wasn't overly successful for SQ a few years ago. Times change though.

 

[moa999]

I really hope this is soon and available by the end of the year.

This high density version is not going to be flying CBR-SIN..
Any longer range version is likely a couple of years away, at best, such is the ordering time on seats these days

 

[AuSammy]

I was pretty sure QF had already announced first revenue flights would be across the ditch or have I got my frames mixed up ?

 

[elanshin]

I was pretty sure QF had already announced first revenue flights would be across the ditch or have I got my frames mixed up ?

I think you're mistaken on that. They haven't quite announced anything. The general speculation is it'll be syd-mel being the most likely with possible transcon.