QF A321XLR Arrivals

[Fred C]

Originally Posted by James Smith

No, they will be fitted with CFM LEAP-1A33 engines.

Ahh. Ok. Thanks James.

[Greg Hyde]

Airbus A321XLR Receives EASA Type Certification

Airbus has announced this morning that the A321XLR has received type certification from EASA, paving the way for entry-into-service.

The Chief Engineer of the Airbus A321XLR, Isabelle Bloy, received the EASA Type Certification today.
Furthermore, it is understood that the certification pertinent to the Pratt & Whitney engine version is slated for later this year.
Commenting on the milestone was Christian Scherer, CEO of the Commercial Aircraft business of Airbus:
“Here comes the A321XLR, a differentiated product that brings new value to the market, expanding the possibilities for our airline customers and passengers.”
“With its long range, the A321XLR enables a host of new direct routes, offering natural growth opportunities to our customers and the travelling public.”
“It provides airlines with the efficiency of commonality inside the A320/A321 product range and its versatile cabin a range of service possibilities that are just unique.”
“It is quintessential Airbus!”
“With the certification, we have reached a key milestone.”
“The next step is to prepare the aircraft for its first commercial missions with customers worldwide.”
“We look forward to working with XLR customers to support the integration of the aircraft in their fleets.”

With this in mind, all hands are on deck now for the launch customer of the Airbus A321XLR, Iberia.
Around a month ago, the airline began ticket sales for the new aircraft.
Furthermore, it is understood the official entry-into-service date of the Iberia Airbus A321XLR will be November 14 this year.
Also, the configuration will see 14 seats in Business Class, followed by 168 seats in Economy.

https://aviationsourcenews.com/manuf...certification/

[Greg Hyde]

From QF Media

FLIGHT TRAINING TAKES OFF AS QANTAS PREPARES TO RECEIVE ITS FIRST A321XLR

Sydney | Published on 29th August 2024 at 8:36

Qantas pilots have started training in preparation for the first Airbus A321XLR aircraft to arrive in Australia next year with the airline today confirming the cabin experience customers can expect onboard.

As part of Qantas’ fleet renewal program, 28 A321XLR aircraft have been ordered as part of the progressive replacement of its fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft over the next decade, with the first due to arrive in April 2025.

The A321XLR is the longest-range variant of the Airbus A320 family, which will allow Qantas to open up new non-stop routes that aren’t viable with existing aircraft.

The new fleet will offer a more comfortable flying experience for customers with a quieter cabin, deliver more reliable operations and generate fewer emissions per seat than the aircraft they replace.

TRAINING

Ahead of the arrival of the first A321XLR, Qantas pilots have started training on a new CAE 7000XR Series A320 simulator that was shipped from Montreal, Canada, to Australia earlier in the year over a 34-day journey.

More than 240 Qantas pilots are expected to be trained on the A321XLR aircraft over the next three years, opening up new career pathways and promotional opportunities.
Pilots will spend up to 60 hours in the new simulator as part of their broader training program, and then return each year for four recurrency training sessions.

The simulator is fitted with the latest technology and will be one of the few in the world fitted with a dual head-up display.

The A320 simulator is based in the new Sydney Flight Training Centre that is expected to be fully operational with more flight simulators and training equipment to be added by the end of the year.

In addition, around 2,000 cabin crew will also be progressively trained on the new aircraft type as they enter the fleet.

QANTAS A321XLR CABINS

The cabin and seats of the new Qantas A321XLR have been designed with a focus on maximising passenger comfort. Customers can expect:

A more comfortable Economy seat that’s wider than the 737 seat with extra comfort seat cushioning

The largest overhead bins of any single-aisle aircraft that allow for 60 per cent more bags than the 737.
A sense of spaciousness in the long cabin with higher ceilings and large windows, and a wider cabin than the 737.
Fast, free Wi-Fi allowing all customers inflight to stay connected across multiple devices, as well as the improved Qantas Entertainment App for streaming content to their own device.

Seats for 197 passengers across two cabins, with 20 Business seats in a 2-2 configuration and 177 Economy seats[1] in a 3-3 configuration.

See fact sheet for more information and renders of the Business and Economy seats.

COMMENTS
Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said the arrival of the A321XLR represented significant opportunities for employees and customers.
“Qantas will be one of the first airlines in the world to operate the A321XLR and ahead of the arrival of our first aircraft next year, we’ve started pilot training and finalised the details of the customer experience,” said Ms Hudson.
“Nearly half of all the customers Qantas carries each year travel on our 737 fleet so the A321XLR aircraft that we’ve ordered to replace them will be incredibly important for our future.
“New aircraft mean more jobs, training and promotion opportunities for our people and we’ll be training more than 240 pilots on the new aircraft over the next three years.
“The A321XLR is a fantastic aircraft to be part of our next generation fleet, and its range and versatility will give us to opportunity to explore more non-stop routes and operate them cost effectively.
“The QantasLink A220s and the Jetstar A320neo family already received as part of our Group fleet renewal program are providing major improvements in running cost, network flexibility, passenger comfort and emissions.”
A321XLR FACTS
Qantas’ A321XLR is five metres longer than the outgoing 737s and will be configured to seat 197 people (20 business, 177 economy) – a 13 per cent increase across the whole cabin with no reduction in space between seats and a 66 per cent increase in premium 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).
Qantas’ A321XLR will be powered by Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbo Fan engines (PW1100G-JM).
The A321XLR improves noise levels compared to previous generation aircraft.
On a per seat basis, the A321XLR is expected to burn less fuel than the 737 aircraft it replaces.
Qantas employees are helping name the new fleet of aircraft under the theme of Walks, Rivers and Roads as a nod to the iconic travel opportunities across Australia and the importance of connecting this vast landscape and beyond. The first aircraft to arrive will be called Great Ocean Road.

[1] The first three Qantas A321XLRs will arrive configured with 180 Economy seats.

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/me...first-a321xlr/

[Christopher Campbell]

Why are the initial 3 configured with 180 seats?

[MarkR]

Golden Triangle ops were capacity trumps the need for another loo

[Ayden H]

OGA's rear fuselage section was spotted at XFW on 12 July 2024, no further updates. Based on current production levels, should be assembled by the end of November.