Qantas, Australia's flag carrier, has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR, becoming the Asia-Pacific's launch operator of this long-range narrowbody aircraft. The aircraft, registered VH-OGA, is en route from Airbus's Hamburg facility to Sydney, with a crew stop in Bangkok, covering over 9,000 kilometers on its initial leg—the longest A321XLR flight by a commercial airline. 

Powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, the A321XLR offers a 4,700 NM range and 30% lower fuel consumption than older single-aisle jets. Qantas' A321XLR features a two-class layout with 20 business and 177-180 economy seats, designed for enhanced passenger comfort. This aircraft is the first of 28 ordered by Qantas, with 12 allocated to its low-cost subsidiary Jetstar, as part of a fleet renewal program including 128 Airbus single-aisle jets and 24 A350-1000s. 

Qantas has prepared for the transition with a new A320 simulator in Sydney, training over 240 pilots. The A321XLR, with over 500 global orders, is popular for its efficiency on medium-haul and transcontinental routes, with operators like Aer Lingus, Iberia, and Wizz Air already flying the type, and major orders from American Airlines, United, and IndiGo.