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Qantas has revealed the designs for the lie-flat business seats aboard its A321XLRs and new 787s.
Qantas has ordered 12 additional 787s, alongside 16 A321XLRs configured for international and transcontinental travel. These A321XLRs will feature the first lie-flat business-class seats on a Qantas narrow-body aircraft and will begin arriving from 2028.
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Seats will be laid out in a 1-1 angled herringbone configuration with privacy doors, and will feature 19-inch entertainment screens, wireless and USB-C charging, free Wi-Fi, and “generous storage that keeps a laptop and personal items within reach throughout the flight”.
“Investing in new aircraft is one of the most significant ways we can enhance the flying experience,” said Qantas Group chief executive Vanessa Hudson.
“Qantas introduced Business Class to the world in 1979, and we’ve continued to redefine what it means ever since.
“These new Suites on our next generation narrowbody fleet are another step in that journey, transforming the premium cabin experience and the level of comfort for our customers flying on longer domestic and short and medium haul international services.”
The 787-9s, meanwhile, will include 42 “Business Suites” with the first sliding privacy doors on a Qantas Dreamliner.
“Customers will have more room to stretch out and sleep on long haul flights, with new 80-inch lie-flat beds offering an updated version of the popular seat, including a wider footwell customised by Qantas after ergonomic trials and customer feedback,” the airline said.
“The design of the Dreamliner Business Suites, which are an evolution of the seat customers fly today, draws on the Australian landscape, with a 19-inch screen and restyled personal storage space in a rich colour inspired by the red earth of Western Australia’s Pilbara region.”
According to Qantas, premium travel demand is continuing to outpace economy, with revenue from premium cabins growing at twice the rate of economy across its international network; the new aircraft have a higher ratio of premium seating than the aircraft they are replacing.
Qantas now has seven A321XLR aircraft in service, with the first having arrived late last year, as well as 12 QantasLink A220s.
“These new aircraft, as well as almost all of Qantas’ current Boeing 737s, are now fitted with Qantas Economy Plus seating, which launched during the year and is supporting higher unit revenue and customer satisfaction,” the airline said.
“The product will launch on Qantas’ A330 fleet next month. QantasLink is also refurbishing the existing A320 and A319 fleets, with mid-life Embraer E190 aircraft arriving in the coming months to replace the Fokker F100 fleet.”
Qantas Group added 17 new aircraft in the 2026 financial year, with up to 31 expected in 2026–27.
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Rod
says:It is without question, QF will go to the nth degree to accommodate the comfort needs of premium passengers/customers and has done so for many years. Unfortunately, numbers wise, the largest customer base is those of us who have to consume marg rather than butter and we have to put up with absolute contempt by QF in less leg room, reduced comfort levels in food and service and possibly expose ourselves to DVT due to absolute minimum space in which to secure oneself for the duration of the journey. Unfortunately, we live in a market that has to accept this adverse treatment whilst the companies “God Squad” bask in heaven with massive remuneration packages and apparent no concern for the real-world customer/comfort base. The system is wrong!