Major aircraft order to shape Qantas Group's future

Latest News|Published 2 May 2022

For more than 100 years, Qantas has been at the forefront of aviation innovation and transforming the way the world travels.

We’re extremely excited to announce an order of 12 A350-1000s, an aircraft designed to redefine the way your customers travel with the ability to fly non-stop between Australia’s east coast to almost anywhere in the world.

Partnering with Airbus and Australian industrial designer, David Caon, our A350 promises a five-star flying experience for your customers, with premium designer details and all new levels of luxurious comfort. The A350 sets a new standard in premium travel with over forty percent of the aircraft's seats dedicated to premium cabins.

The A350 is designed to be as comfortable for our mutual customers as it is convenient. Featuring a Wellbeing Zone complete with a self-serve snack and hydration station and digital displays providing movement and stretching recommendations, generous Economy legroom and cabin interiors designed to work with your body clock and maximise comfort so you'll arrive refreshed and ready at your destination.

The introduction of the A350s will make almost any city in the world just one flight away from Australia. Flights are scheduled for take-off from Sydney in late 2025 to destinations such as London and New York and will also be able to operate non-stop to other destinations such as Paris and Frankfurt

We’ll also be renewing our domestic Australian fleet from late 2023 and are excited to announce the order of 20 A321XLR and 20 A220-300s which will form the backbone of our domestic fleet. Their range and economics will make new direct routes possible and allow us to offer more choice of flights at different times of the day across our regional and domestic Australian routes.

All of these next generation aircraft – through their lower emissions, longer range, less noise and better economics, will improve how your customers can travel around Australia and the world.

About the order

Domestic

Qantas’ A321XLR is five metres longer than the outgoing 737s and will be configured to seat 200 people (20 business, 180 economy) – a 15 per cent increase with no reduction in space between seats. It can fly approximately 3,000km further than the 737 (at 8,700km) and opens up a wider range of direct domestic and short haul international routes (e.g. South East Asia, Pacific islands).
The A220-300 is larger overall than the outgoing 717s and will be configured to seat 137 people (10 in Business, 127 in Economy) – a 25 per cent increase with no reduction in space between seats. It has almost double the range at over 6,000 kilometres, meaning it can fly between any city in Australia.
Both aircraft types will be powered by Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbo Fan engines (PW1100G-JM and PW1500G)
The noise levels of both aircraft are up to 50 per cent lower than the retiring aircraft.
On a per seat basis, the A220-300 burns 28 per cent less fuel per passenger than the 717. The A321XLR burns 17 per cent less fuel per passenger compared with the 737.

International

The Qantas A350-1000 will have the range for direct flights between Australia and any city in the world. Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 turbofan engines which are 25 percent more fuel efficient than previous generation aircraft.
Will carry 238 passengers across four classes (First, Business, Premium Economy, Economy), with more than 40 per cent of the cabin dedicated to premium seating. Compares to more than 300 seats on competitor airlines.
The cabin is specially configured for improved comfort on long flights and includes a wellbeing zone in the centre.

Qantas Group has also released a trading update for third quarter FY22Opens in a new tab or window with news from across the business.

Important Information

Disclaimer: *International flights remain subject to Government and Regulatory approval.