Qantas has given its strongest signal yet that international flights from Adelaide will soon be back on the table, with the new Airbus A321 XLR narrow-body aircraft opening up fresh opportunities for long-overlooked routes.
Speaking directly with The Champagne Mile at an Airbus media briefing in Hamburg, Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson indicated the airline would use the new aircraft to service routes considered unviable to operate with widebody aircraft, including flights from South Australia’s capital.
However, any service could be some time away. “It’s really important when you’re bringing in a new fleet that you get to scale,” Hudson told The Champagne Mile when responding directly to a question about the likelihood of international services restarting from South Australia’s capital. Hudson also confirmed that Qantas has been actively in discussion with South Australia’s premier, Peter Malinauskas, and that “Adelaide will absolutely be a route and a network that we look at.”
At a later Q&A session with media, she referenced Adelaide to Singapore flights as a service under consideration, making it clear that South Australia is very much on Qantas’ radar.
When did Qantas last operate international flights from Adelaide?
The last Qantas international service from Adelaide ceased in 2013 with the cancellation of flights to Singapore. Since then, South Australian travellers have had to endure connections through eastern states to travel internationally on Qantas, a source of ongoing frustration, increased travel time, and inconvenience. A direct Qantas-operated international service would not only streamline travel for locals but could significantly boost inbound tourism and business opportunities.
Why the A321 XLR makes sense for Adelaide
With a range of up to 8,700 kilometres and improved fuel efficiency of up to 30%, the A321 XLR presents a viable way for Qantas to service smaller markets like Adelaide. It is expected to allow Qantas to operate international routes without the higher costs usually associated with widebody aircraft.
The new A321 XLR features 20 recliner-style business class seats (a 66% increase over Qantas’ current Boeing 737 configuration) and 177 economy seats. Passengers will enjoy upgraded features including 60% more overhead storage space and mood lighting with up to 17 million combinations, designed to enhance comfort and reduce jetlag.
However, the cabin isn’t without limitations. Notably absent is built-in inflight entertainment (IFE). Instead, passengers will need to access Qantas’ existing streaming service via their own devices.
Will recliner seats cut it for premium passengers?
Although recliner seats are typically accepted by passengers on domestic and short international flights, Adelaide travellers accustomed to lie-flat beds, such as those offered by competitors like Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways, may find the Qantas A321 XLR offering less than appealing on longer journeys.
The Champagne Mile understands that Qantas is currently evaluating an alternative A321 XLR configuration equipped with lie-flat seats, closely modelled on its existing long-haul business class product. A final decision on this premium configuration is expected soon, although no specific timeline has been confirmed.
More frequent flyer reward seats?
Despite concerns around the appeal of recliner seats for premium flyers, there is a potential upside: a larger, 20-seat business cabin could result in increased availability of Classic Flight Rewards. That said, the availability of award seats will be directly tied to the success of commercial seat sales.
The prospect of more reward seats would be welcomed by frequent flyers looking to travel directly internationally from Adelaide using Qantas Points. This is particularly the case for those seeking connections from Asia into the USA and Europe, where flight redemption availability remains a challenge.
What’s next for Adelaide?
Qantas hasn’t provided specific details yet, but Hudson’s comments confirm Adelaide is genuinely on the radar for the airline’s A321 XLR plans.
Realistically, any new international service from Adelaide would likely be several years away, as Qantas needs to build sufficient scale first, estimated to be a minimum of around 15 aircraft.
With the first A321 XLR aircraft arriving in the coming months, route choices and early passenger reactions will soon become clearer. For Adelaide, this represents a promising first step toward finally regaining direct international flights with Australia’s national carrier, and leaving behind the inconvenience needed to connect interstate.
The author attended Airbus media briefings in Hamburg and Toulouse as a guest of Qantas and Airbus.
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