Why Qantas' new aircraft is a game changer for Australian travellers

The airline has addressed one of our biggest frustrations.

The new Qantas Airbus A321XLR lands in Sydney.

Updated July 7 2025 - 12:17pm, first published 8:29am

If you fly domestically you will have noticed what a pain trying to fit carry-on into the overhead lockers can be.

As aircraft become fuller with more people travelling around the country, overhead bin space is at a premium.

Airlines are adopting the "one up, one down" rule where you must store your smaller carry-on bag under the seat in front of you, meaning there is less space for your legs.

Get exclusive travel tips, hidden gems & expert insights: delivered to your inbox

Enter the new Qantas Airbus A321XLR, which is set to be a game-changer for domestic travel.

The Airbus A321XLR, named Great Ocean Road, arrived in Sydney at the start of July, with flight QF6041 flying from Hamburg to Bangkok, and making history as the longest A321XLR flight operated by a commercial airline.

The flight then continued on to Sydney, touching down at Sydney Airport.

The aircraft is one of 28 Qantas has on order. The airline claims the aircraft offers the widest cabin of any narrowbody aircraft globally, with space for 60 per cent more bags, wider economy class seats, more economy and business class seats, and larger windows than the Boeing 737.

Qantas Domestic CEO Markus Svensson said the aircraft marked the beginning of an "exciting new chapter" for Australians.

Economy seats in the new Qantas Airbus A321XLR.

Australian Travel Industry Association CEO Dean Long told ACM, the publisher of this masthead, the new A321XLR is a positive step in upgrading the fleet that most Australians travel on.

But it doesn't just offer more space. It also incorporates advanced lightweight materials and design technologies that can enable reduced fuel burn and lower emissions, Qantas claims.

Mr Long said: "The aircraft is more environmentally sound and fuel efficient and we are hopeful that this will put downward pressure on airfares as it should cost less to operate than the existing fleet."

Economy seat backs in the new Qantas Airbus A321XLR.

"While we haven't seen any announcements yet, we do believe that the aircraft will also allow for some new routes to be opened up into Asia and across the Pacific," he said.

Mr Long said we should see the impact of the new aircraft when Qantas deploys the aircraft internationally.

"Its extended range should allow QF to ramp up capacity on key Asian routes such as Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore putting some additional capacity to bring airfares down," he said.

And then there's the all-important bin space.

Qantas Airbus A321XLR business class.

"As regular travellers know, overhead bin space is a source of frustration for most travellers," Mr Long said.

"This aircraft's design maximises this space and should make it a little easier for people to find a temporary home for their bags above their seats.

"I also personally like the larger window sizes that will allow people sitting in the aisle to also see out into the world in which they fly."

Words bySarah Falson

Sarah is ACM’s travel producer. She believes regional travel is just as fun (if not better) than staying in the big cities and loves any travel experience to do with nature, animals and food!.

My all-time favourite destination is ... Cornwall. From the giant seagulls to the blustery beaches, Cornish pasties and fishing villages, it stirs something romantic and seafaring in me.

Next on my bucket list is … Mongolia. I want to go somewhere really unique that feels totally foreign and challenges my way of life.

My top travel tip is … Don’t plan too much. Walk the streets and let it happen. And make sure you check out what’s within a few blocks of your hotel - sometimes the best local food is found that way.