Qantas' major aircraft order and new First Class Suite

Qantas has today announced several major fleet decisions that will reshape its international and domestic networks over the next decade and beyond.

These decisions will also improve journeys for millions of people every year, and create over 1,000 jobs as well as many career progression opportunities at the national carrier.

Domestically, Qantas will start the renewal of its narrow-body jets as part of ‘Project Winton’ with firm orders for 20 Airbus A321XLRs and 20 A220-300s as its Boeing 737s and 717s are gradually retired. The first of these aircraft will start to arrive in late calendar 2023, with the order including purchase right options for another 94 aircraft for delivery through to at least 2034.

Internationally, 12 Airbus A350-1000s will be ordered to operate non-stop ‘Project Sunrise’ flights from Australia to other cities including New York and London. These aircraft will feature market-leading passenger comfort in each travel class with services scheduled to start by the end of calendar 2025 from Sydney.

All of these next-generation aircraft – through their lower emissions, longer range, less noise, and better economics – will improve how people travel around Australia and overseas.

Customers can expect more direct routes and therefore less total travel time. They can expect higher levels of cabin comfort. And, particularly on domestic and regional routes, they can expect more choice of flights at different times of the day due to different size aircraft for peak and off-peak times.

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.

The aircraft will carry 238 passengers across four classes (First, Business, Premium Economy, Economy), with more than 40 percent of the cabin dedicated to premium seating.