Pilotcenter.net News: Qantas Welcomes First A321XLR 'Great Ocean Road'

In an exciting development for the aviation industry, Qantas’ brand-new A321XLR, proudly known as ‘Great Ocean Road’ and registered as VH-OGA, has successfully landed at Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) following its journey from Airbus' facilities in Finkenwerder, Hamburg, Germany on June 30, 2025. This monumental aircraft made a pitstop at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) before embarking on its final nine-hour flight to Sydney airport.

This groundbreaking A321XLR marks the first of 28 ordered by Qantas and boasts the widest cabin among narrow-body aircraft, offering more seats, larger windows, and accommodating 60% more baggage compared to its predecessor, the Boeing 737. The aircraft is designed with a luxurious two-class cabin layout, featuring 20 business class seats and approximately 177 to 180 seats in economy class.

With a maximum flight time of 11 hours and an impressive range of 4,700 nautical miles, the A321XLR opens up new horizons for long-haul travel within single-aisle cabins in the Australasian region. This advanced aircraft is set to revolutionize travel, enabling non-stop flights from Australia to various destinations in the Asia-Pacific region without the need for refueling.

This milestone signals a new era of enhanced travel experiences and efficiency for both Qantas and passengers alike, as the A321XLR sets the stage for more seamless and comfortable journeys across vast distances.