Qantas reveals first international A321XLR route
The XLR is breaking out from domestic runs, starting with a seven-hour jaunt to Manila...
By David Flynn, February 26 2026
Qantas’ Airbus A321XLR is spreading its wings overseas, with Brisbane-Manila confirmed as the first international route for the modern single-aisle jet.
The XLR will move onto this flight on a daily basis from 25 October 2026, replacing the larger Airbus A330 which is now rostered five days a week.
Since the debut of the first red-tailed A321XLR in September 2025, the nimble jets have been darting along the eastern seaboard and making cross-country runs, but international routes were always on the cards.
Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace has previously spoken of the ability to add an overseas XLR leg onto its domestic flying, while also taking an “agile” approach to reshaping the network as new aircraft arrive.
In the case of the XLR, Qantas now has four of a 48-strong order in its fleet.
The Qantas XLRs will be moving onto international routes.
The latest arrival adopts a revised layout which sees a row of economy seats removed to add a third bathroom, improving the ‘lavatory-to-passenger ratio’ from 1:90 on the first three jets to a more relaxed 1:60.
Several more A321XLRs are headed for the Qantas hangars over the coming nine months, and could also pick up selected short- to medium-range overseas routes.
For Qantas, the A321XLR is a more efficient aircraft than the A330 it replaces – both in terms of fuel consumption and fitting the route.
But travellers in business class will have a different take.
Qantas A330 business class.
The A330’s international-grade flatbeds with direct aisle access and video screens are certainly suited to the seven-hour flight, and especially the overnight return leg of QF98, which departs Manila at 9:45pm to reach Brisbane at 7:25am.
In comparison, the XLRs have a domestic business class with 20 recliners in a 2-2 layout and no seatback screens – although at least in economy there are 36 extra-legroom Economy Plus seats.
Qantas A321XLR business class.
That will change from 2028, when Qantas picks up the keys to the first of 16 XLRs designed more for international flying.
They’ll be crowned by fully lie-flat beds and feature HD entertainment screens in every seat from tip to tail.
Qantas has already shortlisted its XLR flatbed finalists, which Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson says 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.”
Read more: Qantas goes flat-out with new XLR business class
Tourism Research Australia reports that for the year ending March 2025, Filipinos made over 162,000 inbound trips to Australia, with a 17% increase in nights and a 9% increase in spend to over $550 million.
There’s also solid business travel between Australia and the Philippines, with the top five industries being information technology, finance and insurance, services, construction and education.
“As trade and tourism links between Australia and the Philippines continue to strengthen, Manila is an important and growing market for Qantas,” Wallace says.
Also read: Qantas A321XLR business, economy review
19 Jan 2017
Total posts 9
Unfortunately a domestic economy 3-3 config with no space to move is a miserable experience for a 7 hour+ flight. It might be fuel efficient for Qantas, but it's not comfort efficient for passengers. That's a real downgrade form the A330. The only positives here are for Qantas, not the passengers.
14 Oct 2016
Total posts 122
They went to cheap not getting IFE screens. It's fine for shorter trips, but for longer ones like this, especially in Business, should have had screens.
In regards to the "Business" class, pricing should be closer to 2k return as it's really just premium economy. The 3-4k Business class needs a lie flat minimum.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 May 2012
Total posts 95
Hopefully they adjust business class pricing accordingly.... down. No one will book at current prices for a domestic business class.
Even PAL has flat beds on their A321 to Brisbane.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
17 Oct 2014
Total posts 24
No mention of the fact that the flight will be slower due the lower cruise speed of tha A321.
The increase in journey time (scheduled) is 20 minutes.
Something to bear in mind if there is a competing service on a wide body when you want to travel.
While the A321 is economical, I doubt it beats any wide body on a seat per mile basis.The issue instead is the ability to fill the seats.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Aug 2017
Total posts 120
Massive downgrade for business class pax and the overnight return. So much for domestic config.
05 Jul 2016
Total posts 25
They should not be selling business class on these flights, but only premium economy at best.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 May 2013
Total posts 402
I remember when QF used to be premium.
29 Jan 2012
Total posts 219
With greater numbers travelling today than ever before, 7 hrs in a 3x3 a321 is a laugh. 30 yrs ago the same route was flown by Qantas with 767 and 747 aircraft with space and comfort. Shows it is definitely all about the economics and not the passenger. Don't even start me on the 1 toilet in Y design for the a321 - who thinks of these things.
Time for QF to realize they are not the only game in town, with loyalty and competition a new game in today's world which they may lose.
31 Mar 2014
Total posts 404
This was always the fear of Qantas having recliners and no screens on their A321 and then throwing them on international routes that are totally inappropriate. It didn't take long for that fear to be realised.
22 Aug 2025
Total posts 4
2026 - the year Qantas took their 'enhancements' to a whole new level!
20 Nov 2015
Total posts 604
Ouch! SYD-AKL would be fine in the XLR, even a 4-5 hour route if it was mostly daytime in both directions, but not this and especially not a proper red-eye for MNL-SYD.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Oct 2016
Total posts 194
This isn't materially different to MEL-DPS, we have been 6:15 or 6:55 on shitty 737 for 10 years.
This was always going to happen since PR already use a 321, even though it is lie flat, most consumers will not realise, they will just see they are both 2x2
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Mar 2022
Total posts 17
Ha - thought this might happen when the A321xlr was first announced. Long term, who's going to pay premium $ for J when you might turn up to the gate to find one of these dom config planes has been rotated onto your flight?
03 May 2013
Total posts 710
Once again this all about Qantas, not the passenger. If they really did value loyal customers, aircraft flying these routes would have lie flat J and IFE as minimum. This is not in keeping with a full service carrier. I'd rather a Jetstar 787.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 Nov 2012
Total posts 134
PAX will fly it and even pay a premium because of the power of the QFF programme. Golden handcuffs. Sad but true.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Nov 2016
Total posts 72
Unsure why the dislikes. This is one of QF's main strategies.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Nov 2016
Total posts 132
Flew the aircraft first time this week from Melbourne to Sydney. Very average. Am platinum but was not able to get the first 2 rows of economy plus. Have done the A220 quite a bit and yes a very different aircraft but much better experience. Would not be keen to do the A321 internationally.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Aug 2014
Total posts 182
I'd definitely choose to fly Cathay business and go via HK.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Oct 2016
Total posts 194
Even Cathay W!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 Aug 2017
Total posts 29
PAL direct in J on an A321 is quite comfortable and very well priced...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Nov 2014
Total posts 357
I just don't know why Qantas hates BNE that much. With only a handful of widenody international routes (LAX, NRT, SIN and MNL), now MNL is going down to narrow body domestic style configuration. So what? The A330 can then go and service other routes for SYD and MEL I'm sure.
I gguess very soon they'll replace SIN and NRT with this A321 as well, and still charge $6K on business class. That's why I haven't flown QF for international routes for years.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Oct 2016
Total posts 194
QF actually hates every route that isn't SYD, MEL-SYD gets 1 A330 most days which are really repositioning (some days are 2 and others zero)
MEL can't even get a widebody to AKL, and only LAX/DFW are 3/4 class, and everything international is full because most are 332, same crap as BNE. IT is $1000 cheaper for me to go to Tokyo via SYD, and that gets the NRT slot. Better yet Via HKG is $3000 cheaper for only 2 hours with 4 CX flights a day, I voted on QF a long time ago...
30 Jul 2015
Total posts 9
QF 's A321XLR is a great aircraft, but those are domestic J seats, nothing more. Going to MNL they should be sold as premium economy at most. That's essentially what domestic J recliner best compares to. 7.5 hours on the return overnight with no lie-flat seat and paying a business fare? No thanks. Before you book QF, do an image search for the Phillipine A321NEO that flies BNE-MNL and their international business class. Flat beds and tv screens. Yes, no QFF and I haven't looked at the fares, but I'm tipping they'd be cheaper too!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Oct 2012
Total posts 138
Definitely Premium Economy International seat , and should be priced as that .
19 Mar 2024
Total posts 1
NEW from the airline that brought you the A330 to Los Angeles; single aisle to Manila!
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Qantas reveals first international A321XLR route