Qantas unveils A321XLR with limited economy toilets amid fleet renewal push

Qantas has unveiled its new Airbus A321XLR, touting bigger overhead bins, quieter cabins and redesigned seats. But the rollout has drawn attention for a design choice that affects economy travelers: the aircraft carries only two toilets for economy passengers, with 177 economy seats and 20 business-class travellers who share a single bathroom. The arrangement translates to about one bathroom for every 88 economy passengers and is described as among the worst ratios for a modern single-aisle jet.

Qantas says the A321XLR offers larger windows, 60% bigger overhead bins and a quieter cabin, plus redesigned seats throughout. The aircraft, which made its maiden Sydney-to-Melbourne flight on Thursday, is planned for both short hops and longer transcontinental routes of up to five hours. Qantas has 48 A321XLRs on order as part of a $15 billion fleet renewal, with sixteen of them slated for international routes with lie-flat business seats that won't arrive until 2028.

The decision to fit only three toilets across the entire plane was made many years ago, Hudson said, and the configuration would be "absolutely appropriate" for routes such as Sydney to Melbourne. "But we've listened to our customers and the first three aircraft will be retrofitted with an extra toilet," she added.

Hudson also acknowledged the fix would not come quickly, saying the bathroom issue would be addressed "in a couple of years" as maintenance cycles allow. The airline has said the four of seven aircraft expected this year will come with three toilets in economy.

The broader fleet-renewal plan, first announced under former chief executive Alan Joyce in 2022, envisions 48 A321XLRs on order, with 16 configured for longer international routes featuring lie-flat business seats, though those aircraft are not due until 2028.

Daily Mail has contacted Qantas for comment on the issue.