Review: Qantas' First A321 XLR

For aviation enthusiasts—and indeed any traveller—the opportunity to fly on a brand-new aircraft and experience a seat that has never been occupied is a unique and exciting experience. It’s that “new car feeling” with the “new car smell”—only so much better.

AirlineRatings boarded the inaugural passenger flight between Sydney and Perth, and if you’ve flown on the 737-800s trans-continentally lately, you’ll know exactly what we mean when we say this is a huge, and exciting, leap forward.

No time to read? Check out our onboard video of this brand-new plane.

Looking at the functionality first. Every seat has in-seat charging (both USB-A and USB-C), and complimentary Wi-Fi is available to every passenger. Each seat also comes with a device holder, tablet holder, winged headrest, and storage pocket. As anyone who flies regularly on single-aisle aircraft knows, overhead luggage space is always a juggle—but with the new Airspace overhead compartments, more bags fit in more easily, helping speed up boarding and reducing stress.

In economy, while maintaining the same 30-inch seat pitch as the 737s, the A321XLR offers wider 17.6-inch seats with enhanced cushioning for extra comfort. In-flight entertainment can be streamed to passengers’ own devices, though later aircraft configured for transcontinental and mid-haul international routes will feature seatback screens. As for the streaming library, it’s extensive, with multiple choices to suit every passenger. The Airbus A321 windows are also bigger than that of the 737 allowing more natural light and enhancing the feeling of space. Passengers are served with a choice of meal plus complimentary drinks, including alcoholic beverages. Today’s meal options were a pasta with feta or a beef and lentil salad, followed by a delicious Lamington-flavoured Golden Gaytime.

For business class passengers, the new recliner seats are a major step up in comfort and luxury compared to the 737-800s that the A321s will gradually replace. Each seat includes a footrest, leg rest, and a neat storage compartment that doubles as a wireless charging dock for your phone. Inside the compartment is a subtle sensor light that provides just enough glow for those overnight flights. Like in economy, passengers can stream a wide variety of entertainment to their own devices and stay connected throughout the flight via Wi-Fi.

What do the crew think? What did we think? Speaking with both the pilots and crew on today’s flight, the resounding sentiment was that it’s shiny, new, and wonderful. The crew were genuinely proud to be part of this historic moment for the airline, and the pilots couldn’t wait to take to the skies. AirlineRatings was proud to be part of today’s celebrations, and we’re excited about Qantas’ fleet renewal and the opportunities it brings not just for Australian travellers, but also for international visitors coming to Australia.

But there was something even more important today: the author noticed Qantas staff spotting young kids with big aviation dreams, who, with their parents’ help, made sure they were on one of today’s flights. Qantas didn’t just take them as passengers—they involved them, let them speak with the pilots before takeoff, and went out of their way to make the experience truly special. For the author, this is the Spirit of Australia in action.

Well done, Qantas—a lot of hard work, brilliantly executed.