Qantas has revealed a new Business Suite for its Airbus A321XLR fleet, bringing a lie-flat bed to a Qantas single-aisle aircraft for the first time, as part of the largest fleet renewal in the airline’s history.
The suites on these next generation narrowbody aircraft, according to an announcement, “have been designed to transform the travel experience” on longer routes, including transcontinental services to and from Perth, and on short and medium-haul international routes.
Demand for premium travel continues to outpace Economy, according to the announcement, with premium cabin revenue growing at twice the rate of Economy across Qantas’ international network. The next generation aircraft joining the fleet carry a higher proportion of premium seats than the aircraft they replace.
Vanessa Hudson, Qantas Group CEO, said the new suites reflected how demand for premium travel had shifted. “Investing in new aircraft is one of the most significant ways we can enhance the flying experience,” she said. Qantas introduced Business Class to the world in 1979, said Hudson, “and we’ve continued to redefine what it means ever since.”
The suites on each A321XLR aircraft will be arranged in a 1-1 configuration in an angled herringbone layout, a first for a Qantas single-aisle aircraft, making the most of the cabin space to give every customer a lie-flat bed and a sliding privacy door.
Each suite offers a 19-inch entertainment screen, wireless and USB-C charging to keep devices powered, fast and free Wi-Fi to stay connected, and “generous” storage that keeps a laptop and personal items within reach throughout the flight.
The first of the 16 A321XLRs configured with the new Business Suites is scheduled to arrive in 2028. The next generation aircraft has a range of up to 5,400 miles, more than 1,860 miles farther than the Boeing 737.
Qantas, said the announcement, has also unveiled an evolved Business Suite for the additional Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners on order, with the 42 suites on each aircraft to feature a sliding privacy door for the first time on the Qantas Dreamliner.
Customers traveling in Business across all Qantas international aircraft, said the announcement, enjoy access to Qantas lounges, priority check-in and boarding, a generous baggage allowance and premium onboard dining.
