Bigger overhead bins and more: Qantas unveils new Airbus

Qantas is poised to take delivery of its new narrow-body, long-range Airbus aircraft, a key step in its domestic fleet renewal and future international expansion. The first Qantas A321XLR is expected to roll off the assembly line within weeks and enter service by June. By mid-2026, Qantas plans to have seven A321XLRs in operation. “This is a generational investment in the Qantas domestic fleet,” CE Vanessa Hudson told journalists at Airbus’ Hamburg plant, where the first Qantas XLRs were in the final stages of production. The debut of the XLR comes as airlines adjust to the post-pandemic realities of air travel, with sustained demand from consumers for both premium and discount seats. The XLR features larger overhead bins and a wider cabin, creating more personal space for passengers. The new fleet of XLRs will ultimately have four toilets per plane, up from three in the current Boeing 737s. The first three XLR aircraft to arrive for Qantas will not have the extra toilet initially – they will need to be retrofitted in the planes’ first major maintenance cycle. “This will be the biggest fleet renewal in our history,” Hudson said, calling it a “step-change” in customer cabin experience. She made the remarks before touring the expansive Airbus facility in Hamburg, where XLRs painted in Qantas’ iconic red tail could be seen in factories.<br/>