Expanded deal boosts existing order to 109 aircraft.
Qantas has just announced an order for the new Airbus A321 XLR (extra long range) narrowbody aircraft, converting 26 existing A321neo orders to the A321 XLR and adding a further 10 of the long-range variant.
The agreement takes QF’s total A320 Family order from 99 to 109 aircraft, with “significant flexibility for the Qantas Group to make adjustments to delivery schedules depending on market conditions,” the carrier said.
“The fuel efficient, longer range XLR will improve fleet flexibility and network options for potential use by different airlines in the Qantas Group. Its ability to fly long distances means it can be used to open up new destinations or replace wide-body aircraft on existing routes, improving overall economics,” a statement added.
The A321 XLR has a range of around 8,700km, about 15% more than the A321 LR, and can carry up to 244 passengers.
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said “we already know the A320 is a great aircraft and this new variant can fly further and more efficiently than any other single aisle jet on the market.” He flagged routes such as Cairns-Tokyo and Melbourne-Singapore, saying the XLR changes the economics of lots of potential routes into Asia.
The first deliveries from QF’s A320 Family order will begin with 18 A321LR aircraft for Jetstar arriving between mid-2020 and mid-2022, with the first XLR to be available to the Qantas Group from the 2024 financial year onwards.
More details in tomorrow’s issue of Travel Daily.