Qantas' inaugural Airbus A321XLR plane embarks on a momentous journey to its new home down under in Australia. Successfully passing its customer acceptance flight on June 24, 2025, the aircraft, dubbed 'Great Ocean Road' with registration VH-OGA, was officially delivered to the Australian carrier at Airbus' base in Finkenwerder, near Hamburg, Germany. This marks the beginning of a 42-hour long trek from Germany to Australia, making it the most extensive A321XLR flight operated by an airline to date.

The initial leg of this epic journey covers a distance of 9,600 kilometers from Finkenwerder to Bangkok, Thailand without a break. From Bangkok, the A321XLR will venture another 7,600 kilometers to finally touch down in Sydney, where it is scheduled to arrive at 10 am local time on July 2, 2025. This new addition is part of Qantas' order for 28 A321XLR aircraft, intended to replace a portion of its B737 fleet. Sporting a two-class layout featuring 20 business class seats and either 177 or 180 seats in economy, this aircraft will not only soar across Australia but also extend its routes to Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, owing to its enhanced range and adaptability as a single-aisle model.

With this induction, Qantas joins the ranks as the fourth airline worldwide to welcome the A321XLR, following the lead of launch operator Iberia, Aer Lingus of Ireland, and Hungarian low-cost carrier Wizz Air. Stay tuned as Pilotcenter.net News follows the exciting developments as this cutting-edge aircraft settles into its new abode in the Land Down Under!