Qantas goes flat-out with new XLR business class

Qantas is closing in on the design of its new Airbus A321XLR business class suites, which will crown a fleet of 16 single-aisle jets darting across Australia and into Asia.

In comparison to the more conventional recliners of its first XLRs, intended for domestic and short-range overseas flights such as New Zealand, these planes will sport fully lie-flat beds, along with HD entertainment screens in every seat.

The first Qantas A321XLRs have domestic-grade business class recliners.

The clock is ticking...

Qantas has already shortlisted the flatbed finalists, ahead of delivery of the first international A321XLR in 2028.

Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace says airlines now need to work to even earlier lead times when it comes to fitting out new jets.

“What all airlines are seeing is (increased) supply chain complexity," he tells Executive Traveller.

“What that means for us is we need to provide the aircraft manufacturer and the seat suppliers anything up to 36 months in terms of locking a seat design, getting it approved and authorised, and to the manufacturers.”

Once Qantas lands on its chosen XLR business class suite, samples are built for submission to airline safety regulators.

Assessing the field also involves factors such as the actual price tag of the seat (which easily tops $100,000 per unit), weight (which contributes to fuel burn) and scope for customisation in features and design.

A new fleet of XLRs will tackle transcontinental and international routes.

Qantas can shorten and streamline the timetable by selecting a seat which is “already approved, because it’s flying on other aircraft (with other airlines),” Wallace explains.

“They’ve gone through that process, so getting a seat that's already approved is obviously the lower-risk proposition.”

This doesn’t rule out a fresh design, which could see Qantas listed as its prestigious launch customer, but this would then need to be tested and approved.

"So it’s a real balance between innovation and risk, and the surety you want in supply,” Wallace says.

“Ultimately there’s a lot more complexity today, which means you’ve got to be really thoughtful about (how you approach) innovation, and that trade-off between something different, something fresh and new, and making sure the seats are approved and flying.”

Where Qantas will fly its flatbed XLRs

These 16 A321XLRs will appear on “trans-continental services to and from Perth,” as well as short- and medium-range international routes, predominantly between Australia and south-east Asia.

Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson says the lie-flat seats will be “well suited for longer domestic sectors like Sydney and Melbourne to Perth, and creating new possibilities for our international network on routes like Perth to India or Adelaide to Singapore.”

Qantas sees plenty of international flights in the A321XLR's future.

“They’ll also provide a more consistent premium experience for customers flying domestically and connecting onto our long-haul international network, like Brisbane-Perth-London.”

So which business class seats would be on Qantas’ radar for the international A321XLR fleet?

Here are the single-aisle contenders from five leading seat manufacturers.

Of course, these are just the seats we know about – manufacturers always have other designs under development and under wraps.

It’s always possible that Qantas could opt for an all-new platform, but as Wallace admits, this seat would need to pass safety regulations before large-scale production could begin, opening up the possibility of undesirable delays in the arrival of the new jets.

Also read: What’s next for Qantas’ 787 business class?

Thompson Vantage

Flown by Aer Lingus, Flydubai, JetBlue, SAS, TAP Air Portugal, Thai Airways and Singapore Airlines.

Thompson's Vantage business class.

Considered the original lie-flat business class seat for single-aisle jets, Thompson Aero Seating’s Vantage debuted in 2014 as the Mint business class of US challenger JetBlue.

Thompson's Vantage business class.

Despite being more than ten years old, the Vantage platform still has plenty going for it – especially on medium-range flights around 6-8 hours.

Thompson's Vantage business class.

Vantage’s unique layout alternates between rows of two seats and a single or ‘throne’ seat.

Thompson's Vantage business class.

While that means not every passenger enjoys direct aisle access, the combination of fully lie-flat beds and a higher seat count compared to a 1-1 layout makes this an appealing choice for airlines.

The solo 'throne' on Singapore Airlines' Vantage-based 737 MAX business class.

And Qantas could always charge extra for passengers to select one of the throne seats…

Thompson Vantage Solo

Flown by: Iberia, JetBlue and Saudia

Thompson's Vantage Solo business class.

A modern evolution of the Vantage concept, co-developed with London studio Factorydesign, the Vantage Solo set the benchmark for single-aisle business class with twin-aisle touches like sliding privacy doors, direct aisle access and large video screens.

Thompson's Vantage Solo business class.

Airlines can also opt for a layout with larger ‘business plus’ suites in row 1, where extra legroom, additional personal and working space plus comforts like a chilled mini-bar can all attract a higher fare.

Thompson's Vantage Solo business class.

For example, JetBlue’s trans-Atlantic A321LR fleet is topped by a pair of row 1 Mint Studio suites with upsized video screens, an extended sofa and additional storage and working space.

JetBlue's Vantage Solo-based A321LR Mint Studio.

Thompson has strong ties with Qantas, as its Vantage XL is the basis for the Airbus A330, Boeing 787 and Airbus A380 business class.

Also noteworthy: Thompson states it is “already working on our next-generation Vantage Solo with a number of customers across multiple single-aisle platforms.” Hmmm…

Safran Vue

Flown by Flydubai.

Safran's Vue business class.

With Qantas having selected Safran’s Unity platform for its new A350 business class suites, the Safran Vue single-aisle variant could be a likely front-runner for the red-tailed A321XLR.

Safran's Vue business class.

Vue is named for the fact that passengers face the window so they can enjoy the view throughout the flight, compared to many other single-aisle business class seats where passengers face towards the aisle.

Safran's Vue business class.

“It ensures the same experience for each passenger, facing the window and back to the aisle”, Safran says, for “the ideal combination of space and privacy.”

Collins Aurora

Flown by American Airlines

Collins' Aurora business class.

Collins Aerospace isn’t afraid to think differently – the US colossus co-developed Qatar Airways’ impressive Qsuite and Finnair’s boldly innovative AirLounge – and its Aurora ‘mini-suite’ brings that same approach to single-aisle business class.

Collins' Aurora business class.

Aurora cocoons passengers with high walls – which airlines can of course set lower, if desired – while the aisle-facing seat is pushed deeper in the suite, delivering maximum privacy and an impressive 78” (1.98m) bed length.

American Airlines' Aurora-based A321XLR Flagship Suite.

American Airlines chose Aurora to serve as its highly-customised A321XLR Flagship Suite, and it’s also tipped to break cover on Air Canada’s XLRs in the coming months.

American Airlines' Aurora-based A321XLR Flagship Suite.

Stelia Opera

Flown by Etihad Airways, ITA Airways

Stelia's Opera business class.

Stelia is the official seating arm of Airbus, which should already give its Opera single-aisle suite a wee headstart for airlines buying the A321XLR.

Stelia's Opera business class.

This confident premium travel play promises a “Full Flat, Full Access, Full Privacy” experience with a wide bed, 20” monitor, a window-facing seat and of course a suite door.

Etihad's Opera-based A321LR business class.

Etihad’s A321LR premium cabin is built on the Opera platform, although Etihad decided its business class passengers can make do without doors.

Etihad's Opera-based A321LR business class.

Instead, those doors appear only on the two seats at Row 1, which Etihad has upgraded to sell as private first class suites.

Etihad's Opera-based A321LR first class.

Elevate (Adient) Ascent

Elevate's Ascent business class.

Elevate Aircraft Seating is the new name for Adient Aerospace, a joint venture between automotive seatmaker Adient and Boeing.

Elevate’s Ascent twin-aisle business class suite appears on the Boeing 787s of American Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Qatar Airways, but as yet there are no customers listed for the single-aisle Ascent version.

Elevate's Ascent business class.

As with several other Qantas XLR candidates, the Ascent can provide a spacious row 1 ‘business plus’ treatment.

Elevate's Ascent business class.

The oversized suite has a small desk and pop-up mini bar, plus there’s plenty of room for two to share a meal or a movie: airlines can even add a ‘Press for Champagne’ button.

Elevate's Ascent business class.

Another single-aisle business class bed in the Elevate range is Altitude, which the firm describes as a “high-density, fully lie-flat business class suite” for airlines wanting to monetise every square metre of cabin space.

Elevate has no announced customers for either Ascent or Altitude, although there are reports one of these will appear as United’s forthcoming Airbus A321XLR Polaris business class.

Also read: The best in new business class for 2026