Q: What is Qantas’ longest domestic flight?

A: Perth to Brisbane.

PLANE UPGRADE

Qantas started flying an Airbus A321XLR on flights between Perth and Brisbane on Monday, May 4.

The A321XLR is a “next generation” narrow-body aircraft.

Qantas’s newest plane has been put on the route (rather oddly, in my mind, it’s called the Murray River, VH‑OGE).

Almost 100,000 customers travelling between Sydney and Perth have already flown on a Qantas A321XLR since the aircraft entered service in September 2025.

Qantas has ordered 48 new Airbus A321XLR aircraft as part of the group’s fleet renewal program.

The first aircraft was delivered in June 2025 and they are progressively replacing Qantas’ existing 737 domestic fleet.

QUIZ A321XLR

Q: How far can the A321XLR fly?

A: It has an 8700km range and can fly up to 11 hours non-stop. That’s twice the range of standard single-aisle aircraft.

Q: How can it do that?

A: It has an new, innovative, permanent fuel tank built in to the fuselage — the Rear Centre Tank. It gives a lot more fuel capacity without sacrificing cargo space.

Q: With all that extra weight, how can it take off and land?

A: The A321XLR has a 101 tonne “maximum take-off weight”. To support that, it has modified inboard wing flaps (for take-off) and reinforced landing gear (for landing).