Qantas Set to Launch First A321XLR Flights in September 2025
Qantas, Australia’s national airline, has officially set the launch dates and begun accepting reservations for its inaugural Airbus A321XLR commercial flights. This significant addition to Qantas’ fleet is described as an essential step in the airline’s fleet modernization initiative.
The airline’s first two A321XLRs, identified as VH-OGA and VH-OGB (nicknamed ‘Great Ocean Road’ and ‘Outback Way’, respectively), are scheduled to operate their first flights on Thursday, September 25, 2025. They will service routes between Sydney and Melbourne as well as Sydney and Perth, pending regulatory approval.
According to Qantas, these new aircraft will enhance the travel experience with wider seats, larger windows, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, and overhead storage that accommodates about 60% more baggage compared to the Boeing 737s they are replacing.
Details about the inaugural A321XLR flights indicate that on the opening day, one aircraft will conduct flight QF645 from Sydney to Perth, departing at 10:35 AM and arriving at 1:35 PM local time. This plane will then return to Sydney as QF650, leaving Perth at 2:35 PM and landing back in Sydney at 8:40 PM.
The second aircraft is set to leave Sydney for Melbourne as QF467 at 4:20 PM, arriving in Melbourne at 5:55 PM. It will return to Sydney on flight QF484, departing Melbourne at 6:50 PM and landing at 8:15 PM.
Markus Svensson, Qantas Domestic CEO, stated that customers will be the first in the Asia Pacific region to experience the new-generation A321XLR when it takes to the skies. He added, “The inaugural flight between Sydney and Perth will allow our customers to enjoy the comfort and connectivity these aircraft offer.”
Additionally, Svensson highlighted that these advanced planes will enable Qantas to operate both domestic and short-haul international flights, reaching destinations across Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands that are currently not feasible with the existing narrowbody fleet.
More A321XLRs Coming Soon
Meanwhile, in Hamburg, Germany, Qantas’ third A321XLR, VH-OGC (‘Seven Peaks Walk’), recently emerged from the Airbus paint shop. This aircraft is expected to join the fleet in November 2025. By the end of the current financial year, Qantas plans to have seven of these new aircraft in operation.
This announcement about the first A321XLR flights coincides with news that Qantas is further enhancing its A321XLR fleet, increasing its order to a total of 48 aircraft.
The most extensive fleet renewal program in the group’s history will feature 16 of the A321XLRs equipped with lie-flat business class seats and entertainment screens for passengers, catering to longer routes, including transcontinental flights from and to Perth, and various short to medium-haul international destinations.
Are you looking forward to flying on one of Qantas’ latest A321XLR aircraft?
