Jetstar CEO Describes Airbus A321neo as a Game Changer

Jetstar Airbus A321LRs have been arriving since last year. Eight more aircrafts, including A321XLRs, are expected to join the fleet in the near future.

Yesterday was the first anniversary since the Airbus A321LR joined the fleet of Australian low cost carrier Jetstar. Jetstar's first A321LR was delivered on a wet and cold Melbourne day in 2023. Twelve months later the weather has remained the same but the aircraft is proving to be a game changer for the airline.

It was the right decision taken many years ago

Airbus received the order from former Jetstar CEO Gareth Evans, and Qantas' CEO Alan Joyce more than a decade ago. Simple Flying questioned Evans at the A321LR's welcome event if his decision was correct. This was made before the pandemic even occurred. He replied:

"It was a long time ago, and it was absolutely the right decision, and if we had known then what we know today we wouldn't have changed a thing, these are the right aircraft for us, arriving for us at absolutely the right time."

Jetstar, a low-cost airline of the Qantas Group has nine A321LRs. Nine more will arrive before the end 2024. Jetstar will also receive 15 A321XLRs - the long-range narrowbody aircraft that aviation is eagerly awaiting - and five additional A321LRs. Jetstar is expected to have twenty of these aircraft in its fleet by 2029.

Stephanie Tully, the current CEO, who assumed the role last November, is a big fan of this new generation aircraft. She said today, "the [A321]NEO was a gamechanger" for our airline.

"These longer range, highly fuel-efficient aircraft help us achieve our Qantas Group emissions reduction targets while also delivering great low fares to more destinations. And our customers love them. They are 50% quieter, have huge overhead bins, wider seats and customers can stream entertainment on their own device."

The A321LR is a domestic and international workhorse

Jetstar's announcement of the A321LR was not a surprise. The aircraft was already being used in a specific way. It was planned to fly the aircraft domestically in Australia during the day and then overnight operate international flights before returning home the following morning. Another benefit is that A321LRs will allow the airline to use its Boeing 787 Dreamliners for long-haul flights, instead of medium-haul.

Jetstar announced or launched seven international routes since the A321LR was introduced last year. Jetstar has announced or launched seven new international routes since the A321LR arrived last year. These include routes between Sydney and Seoul (South Korea), Melbourne and Fiji, Brisbane and Seoul, Auckland and Osaka Kansai, Japan, as well as Sydney and Rarotonga in Cook Islands. Jetstar's popular services between Australia, Bali and Indonesia will also be increased in frequency.

A good illustration of this domestic/international strategy is to look at what the first A321LR, registration VH-OFE and MSN 09540, did on its first anniversary. It departed Adelaide Airport at 08:00 on Sunday for a two hour flight to the Gold Coast, and then returned to Melbourne Airport at 13:55. It left Melbourne, Australia at 17:57 to return to Bali Denpasar. The flight arrived at MEL this morning at 6:43.

Jetstar announced an Air-normous Sale to celebrate the anniversary. Jetstar is offering domestic and international fares on more than 90 routes starting at AU$29 (19 dollars). The sale will end at 23:59 August 2nd unless it sells out sooner.

 

Source: simpleflying.com