Qantas receives delivery of the extended-range A321 aircraft model
Qantas Airways made history on June 30, 2025, as their first Airbus A321XLR, named VH-OGA Great Ocean Road, embarked on a groundbreaking delivery journey from Hamburg, Germany, marking the longest-ever A321XLR flight operated by a commercial airline.
The journey, spanning over 42 hours with a single stop in Bangkok, covered a total distance of more than 17,200 kilometers. The first leg was a non-stop flight from Hamburg to Bangkok, covering over 9,600 kilometers, while the second leg continued from Bangkok to Sydney, covering over 7,600 kilometers. The aircraft arrived in Sydney on the morning of July 2, 2025, shortly after 10 am local time.
Powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, the A321XLR offers the longest range of any single-aisle aircraft, with a range of up to 4,700 nautical miles in typical airline service. The aircraft is configured with a two-class cabin seating 20 business class and about 177 economy class passengers.
Qantas plans to use the A321XLR primarily on domestic routes in Australia and key destinations in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, leveraging the aircraft's extended range and flexibility. This delivery flight also marked Qantas as the fourth airline worldwide and the first in the Asia-Pacific region to operate the A321XLR, following Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Wizz Air.
The A321XLR's cabin features ambient LED lighting, higher ceilings, and a more spacious interior. It boasts the widest cabin of any narrowbody aircraft globally, with space for 60% more baggage and wider economy class seats. The aircraft also incorporates advanced lightweight materials and design technologies, enabling reduced fuel burn and lower emissions per seat on comparable routes versus previous-generation aircraft.
Nearly 1,000 team members, including pilots, cabin crew, engineers, and ground staff, have been trained for the A321XLR. The aircraft, operating as flight QF6041, is the first of 28 A321XLRs Qantas has on order. This delivery flight marks another step toward more sustainable air travel, with reduced fuel burn and lower emissions per seat on comparable routes.
The flight's progress can be tracked on Flightradar24, offering aviation enthusiasts worldwide a unique opportunity to follow this history-making journey. The A321XLR's arrival in Sydney marks an exciting new chapter for Qantas and the aviation industry, as the airline continues to push the boundaries of air travel.
[1] Qantas Press Release (2025). Qantas takes delivery of first A321XLR. Retrieved from https://www.qantas.com/au/en/media/media-releases/2025/june/qantas-takes-delivery-of-first-a321xlr.html
[2] Airbus Press Release (2025). Qantas takes delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR. Retrieved from https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2025/06/qantas-takes-delivery-of-its-first-airbus-a321xlr.html
[3] Flightradar24 (2025). Qantas A321XLR Delivery Flight Tracker. Retrieved from https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/vh-oga#375b359c
- The groundbreaking delivery journey of Qantas Airways' first Airbus A321XLR, named VH-OGA Great Ocean Road, marked a significant milestone in airline news and lifestyle, as it showcased the latest advancements in travel technology.
- The arrival of Qantas Airways' first Airbus A321XLR in Sydney on July 2, 2025, was not only a testament to the airline's commitment to sustainable air travel but also an exciting development in the world of aviation, bringing new standards of comfort and efficiency to lifestyle and travel.
