In a first, Qantas will add suite-style, lie-flat business-class seats to one of its narrowbody aircraft types.
The carrier announced Wednesday that it will install Business Suites in a 1-1 configuration on its new Airbus A321XLRs. The suites come with a fully lie-flat bed, a sliding privacy door, personal storage space, wireless and USB-C charging stations, and a 19-inch entertainment screen.
The first of 16 A321XLRs configured with the new Business Suites is scheduled to arrive in 2028.
Qantas offers Business Suites on its widebody aircraft, including the A380, A330, and Boeing 787, but it has never before adapted the product for a single-aisle aircraft.
In a statement, Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said the company is responding to increased demand for premium. Premium cabin revenue is growing at twice the rate of economy across Qantas’ international network, she said.
Qantas also said it will introduce “evolved” Business Suites for new 787-9s. The upgraded seats will have sliding doors for the first time, the carrier said, as well as larger, 80-inch beds and a wider footwell.
Each Qantas 787 has 42 Business Suites.
