Qantas Delays A321XLR International Launch

Qantas has delayed the launch of Airbus A321XLR flights on international routes from a planned late-October 2026 debut to 2027.

The change is a delay of just over three months from the planned 25 October 2026 commencement on the Brisbane to Manila segment, now scheduled for 1 February 2027.

The A321XLR on this service will replace the A330-200, meaning the Airbus widebody will continue operating through the peak year-end travel period, ensuring that widebody capacity and lie-flat seats remain available.

Qantas will also increase Brisbane to Manila flights from five flights a week to seven. The start of daily service has also been pushed back to 23 November 2026 instead of 25 October 2026, initially aligned with the debut of the A321XLR.

Qantas A330 to remain on Brisbane–Manila flights

In the schedule filing change, flagged by aeroroutes.com, between 25 October 2026 and 31 January 2027 Qantas will continue to operate the Airbus A330-200 on the QF97/98 rotation before the A321XLR steps in from 1 February 2027.

QF97 is scheduled to depart Brisbane at 1405 with a 2020 arrival in Manila. After a 75-minute turnaround in the Philippines, the aircraft will continue back to Brisbane at 2135, with a 0725 arrival the following day.

The decision to delay the debut of the next-generation A321XLR on the service ultimately ensures the higher-capacity Airbus A330 remains on the Brisbane to Manila service for a little while longer, which has seen frequency increases since returning in late 2024.

The route has benefited from stronger demand for travel to the Philippines, and as such the five weekly flights are operated by the A330-200, scaling to daily before switching over to the XLR, with the Airbus widebody featuring lie-flat business class seats and a larger Economy cabin.

In February 2027, when the A321XLR begins flying internationally, the daily schedule will be retained; however, the route will be operated by the smaller, single-aisle A321XLR. Despite the capacity drop, the shift to the A321XLR shows the capabilities of the next-generation model and what is now possible.

The A321XLR flying to Manila signifies the core strength of the type and why the airline has purchased the jet. The aircraft offers more seats than the 737-800, while its added range also means thinner international services can be flown with lower trip costs than a widebody.

Across the Qantas network, the streamlining process is well underway with the A321XLR enabling stronger domestic links and medium-haul Asia-Pacific markets to be served without the need for an A330 or 787, with economics better suited to those routes.