First look: Qantas unveils new A321XLR aircraft on Sydney-Melbourne route

The airline has launched a new aircraft for use on domestic and short-haul international routes. We step aboard on the first Sydney to Melbourne flight to see what it’s like | WATCH VIDEO

Qantas’s newest plane, the A321XLR, takes off.

Qantas has launched a new aircraft for use on domestic and short-haul international routes. We step aboard on the first Sydney to Melbourne flight to see what it’s like.

Take a seat

Qantas invited assorted media, influencers and travel industry executives on its first passenger flight on the new A321XLR, signalling the start of the airline’s long-awaited domestic fleet renewal. To date, two A321XLRs have been delivered to Qantas by Airbus, with 46 more to come over the next few years. Seating 197 passengers in a two-cabin configuration, the XLR is larger than the Boeing 737-800s it will replace on domestic and short-haul international routes, and is capable of doing much longer flights with a range of 8700km. In business there are five rows in a 2-2 format, while the economy cabin has 30 rows with three seats on each side of the aisle. Each economy seat is 45.6cm wide, so 2cm wider than the 737-800 equivalent, and has the same amount of seat pitch at 76.2cm (30 inches). They seem to hug the body comfortably, despite the hard-wearing fabric, and have a handy adjustable headrest providing extra support for the vertically blessed.

That’s entertainment.

There is no seat-back screen on this A321XLR but there are plans to configure 16 of the aircraft (arriving from 2028) for international flights with lie-flat beds in business and screens throughout. The Qantas entertainment app offers a selection of films and television series, including recent releases such as Sinners, Ballerina, Lilo and Stitch, and Hacks.

On the menu

The breakfast meal service offers a choice of a ham and egg brioche with sauce; or a tomato, ricotta and basil quiche – both served warm in a natty box. Cold and hot beverages are available and the coffee is some of the best I’ve had in the air. Perhaps Qantas lifts its coffee game on Melbourne flights. My quiche is tasty and perfectly filling for a late breakfast but I do miss the days when there was a bit of fruit salad or yoghurt on the side.

Economy class inside the brand new Qantas A321XLR in the Airbus factory in Hamburg.

Tech talk

Qantas offers free wi-fi in its domestic aircraft, and although it’s described as “high speed” that isn’t my experience on this flight. Given it isn’t a full flight, with the middle seats kept empty, I’m not sure why this is the case. The seatback also features USB-A and USB-C charging and there’s a handy drop-down tray for your phone or spectacles case.

At your service

Qantas crew are always professional and on this occasion, with chief executive Vanessa Hudson on board and a brand new aircraft, there is an abundance of smiles and pleasantries. The airline seems to have given away the acknowledgment of country on landing, referring simply to Melbourne Airport’s Indigenous name Wurundjeri on arrival, in a nod to our heritage and First Nations’ people.

In the bag

Up to 23kg of checked baggage is permitted for economy passengers and up to 14kg in total of carry-on across two pieces, with neither to weigh more than 10kg. For the first time in my Qantas travels, crew weigh carry-on at the head of the security screening area at Sydney Airport to ensure compliance – a welcome development. Happily, the A321XLR boasts 60 per cent more overhead locker space than the 737-800, taking much of the stress out of the boarding process, with Qantas promising sufficient room for everyone’s carry-on.

The business class cabin on the A321XLR.

Make your points

A Sydney-Melbourne flight in economy earns a minimum of 400 Qantas frequent flyer points for the lowest ranked members, and 10 status credits on a discount fare, or 20 on a flexi-fare. In business, platinum members can add as many as 3500 points to their frequent flyer balance, and 30 status credits on a one-way flight.

On the ground

Sydney Airport’s T3 terminal offers Qantas business and Club lounges, as well as an assortment of cafes and shopfronts, selling everything from donuts to sushi. There are multiple bathrooms throughout the terminal and the gates have plenty of seats but access to phone chargers or power points beyond the lounges is very limited.

In the know

Sydney-Melbourne is one of Qantas’ busiest routes. The airline operates between 18 and 37 flights a day, with the first leaving at 6am and the final service departing at 10pm.

Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson aboard the A321XLR at the Airbus factory in Hamburg.

The bottom line

Sydney to Melbourne economy class return flights from $549 based on airline website search departing one week from date of publication.

The verdict

Qantas is clearly rapt with its new aircraft, and it should be. It feels spacious and airy, the seats are as comfortable as you can expect in economy, the windows are larger and squeaky clean, and it’s noticeably quieter. It’s unfortunate that the first three A321XLRs to arrive have only two toilets for the 177 economy passengers, an issue that will be addressed in a couple of years with a third restroom to replace one half row of seats. The big plus, though, are those overhead bins that promise to solve the great carry-on luggage debacle that domestic passengers constantly face. With 60 per cent more space than existing aircraft, the bins can easily swallow up roller bags and backpacks for all onboard, justifying Qantas’s generous 14kg allowance.

Robyn Ironside was a guest of Qantas.