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Qantas has officially received its first Airbus A321XLR, marking a significant milestone as the first Asia-Pacific airline to operate this long-range narrowbody aircraft. The delivery flight is currently underway from Airbus's Hamburg facility to Sydney, with a scheduled stop in Bangkok. This journey exemplifies the aircraft's capabilities, covering over 8,000 kilometers between Hamburg and Bangkok in one stretch.
The A321XLR is expected to enhance Qantas's operational efficiency and flexibility. Registered as VH-OGA and operating under flight number QF6041, the aircraft departed from Finkenwerder around 09:00 local time and is set to arrive in Bangkok at 00:20 on July 1. The planned route will exceed 9,000 kilometers, making it the longest commercial flight for an A321XLR to date. After Bangkok, the plane will continue to Sydney, completing more than 7,600 kilometers and arriving shortly after 10:00 local time on Wednesday.
Powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, the A321XLR is part of the A320neo family and offers a range of up to 4,700 nautical miles (8704 km). It promises a 30% reduction in fuel consumption and carbon emissions compared to older single-aisle models. Markus Svensson, CEO of Qantas Domestic, stated: "We are proud to be the first A321XLR operator in Asia Pacific, and its arrival will mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Qantas and a significant step forward in enhancing the experience we offer our customers."
