QANTAS: A321XLR launch — but Alan Joyce’s toilet legacy stinks

Qantas yesterday (Thursday 25 September) finally launched its first Airbus A321XLRs on domestic routes. My invitation to the inaugural flight must have got lost in the mail. This launch marks the biggest shake-up to the Qantas narrow-body fleet in decades. The new aircraft promise more seats, larger overhead bins, USB-C power at every seat, quieter cabins and better fuel efficiency. But for many passengers, the first thing they will notice won’t the shiny new seats , but the long queue for the loos.

I have just perused four articles on the matter (The Australian, AFR, The Guardian, OneMileAtATime, so this isn’t just the beef or one commenter.

Alan Joyce’s 2022 Decision

The root of the controversy lies in a decision made under former Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce, who signed the A321XLR order back in 2022. At that time, Qantas chose to configure the first three aircraft with just three toilets: one reserved for the 20 Business Class travellers and two for the 180 passengers in economy. That translates into one toilet for every 90 economy passengers — a ratio worse than budget carriers like Ryanair, Scoot and Jetstar.

By comparison, Qantas’ own Boeing 737-800s — with 162 economy seats and two toilets — manage one toilet per 81 economy passengers. Hardly generous, but still better than the XLR. ,Even in Business Class the ration is better with 12 passengers sharing one toilet on the Boeing 737-800s, compared to 20 sharing the Business Class toilet on the A321XLR.

Industry’s worst lavatory ratio

On paper, three toilets for 200 people is not the end of the world. That’s one per 67 passengers overall. However, because Qantas has a policy of restricting the forward toilet to business class and flight crew, economy passengers get the industry’s worst deal. They have to share the remaining two toilets between 180 of them plus crew. In the A321neo world, it’s typical to provide three toilets for Economy Class passengers. Delta, Lufthansa and most full-service A321 operators have this configuration. One toilet is located closer to, if not at, the front of the Economy cabin, and two aft.

Given Qantas plans to fly these aircraft not just on short Sydney–Melbourne hops, but also on four-to-five-hour transcontinental routes, the difference of one toilet to the passenger loo ration is stark. Adding one toilet in economy changes that ratio from 1:90 to 1:60. In Business Class its still going to be 1:20, but then those passengers do have the choice of heading to one of the Economy lavatories.

Already planning loo retrofit

It’s reported that current CEO Vanessa Hudson, who hosted media on the first passenger flight from Sydney to Melbourne, admitted that the design was “made many years ago.” That would be back when the official order was made in 2022, just when ex ex-CEO Alan Joyce was earning his disgrace. Remember the illegally sacked staff, the booking of flights already cancelled, the refunds debacle, and the compromised service levels.

His apparent ‘let them eat cake’ or, in this case, ‘cross your legs and hang on’ attitude seems perfectly in keeping with his approach to other aspects of running Qantas.

Hudson said the airline had listened to customer and crew feedback and confirmed the first three jets would be retrofitted with an additional toilet during heavy maintenance.

“Four of the seven aircraft arriving this year will already feature three toilets in economy. This is something we are fixing because we’ve listened to our customers.”

Vanessa Hudson, CEO Qantas

Perhaps Qantas will use some of Alan Joyce’s previously foregone bonus payments to fund the retrofit?

Still, the Joyce-era decision means passengers on the initial trio of XLRs will face years of transcontinental flights with bathroom queues stretching down the aisles.

What’s New on the A321XLR?

The A321XLR cabins have been designed to feel more modern and spacious, with sculpted sidewalls, mood lighting and slimmer seats. Business passengers will notice an extra row and a dedicated lavatory, while economy travellers get new-generation seats with built-in device holders and more power options. The quieter cabin is pitched as a major step-up for transcontinental routes such as Sydney–Perth, where travellers have endured the increasingly tired 737s for decades.

The bins are the show-stopper: Airbus’ Airspace XL overhead lockers can swallow 60 per cent more carry-on bags, addressing one of the biggest customer pain points on Qantas’ domestic services.

Despite the toilet troubles, the A321XLR is a significant upgrade from Qantas’ ageing Boeing 737-800s. Here’s how the two compare:

FeatureQantas Boeing 737-800Qantas Airbus A321XLR
Seats	174 total: 12 Bus, 162 Econ	200/197 total: 20 Bus, 180/177 Econ Initial v eventual configuration
Business Class	Recliner seats, 3 rows (12 seats)	Recliner seats, 5 rows (20 seats)
Overhead Bins	Standard capacity	60% larger, everyone gets a roller bag
Cabin Width & Length	Narrower, shorter	Wider, longer, more shoulder room
Windows	Standard 737	Larger windows, more natural light
Seat Power	Limited USB / AC on refitted aircraft	USB-C at every seat (AC in Business)
Range	~5,700 km	~8,700 km (3,000 km more)
Noise & Efficiency	Older tech, noisier cabin	Quieter, 15–20% better fuel efficiency
Toilets	3 total (2 Economy, 1 Business)	3/4 total (2/3 Economy, 1 Business); Initial v eventual configuration

A Workhorse for the Next Two Decades

The A321XLR isn’t just about comfort — it’s about strategy. With 48 on order, these aircraft will gradually replace the Boeing 737 fleet, which has been flying since the late 1990s. Two A321XLRs, Great Ocean Road and Outback Way, are already flying the Golden Triangle (Brisbane, Sydney Melbourne) and Perth routes, with more to follow.

From 2028, 16 of the fleet will arrive with international-grade cabins, including lie-flat business beds, allowing Qantas to target thinner Asia-Pacific routes that weren’t economical with wide-bodies. The extra range (up to 8,700 km) means Qantas can bypass hubs and potentially add direct services into Southeast Asia from cities like Perth, Brisbane or even the future Western Sydney International Airport.

2PAXfly Takeout

For now, though, Joyce’s 2022 decision continues to haunt the loo queues of the flying kangaroo. Qantas may have the Asia-Pacific’s first A321XLRs, but it also has the dubious distinction of delivering one of the world’s worst economy toilet ratios.

It’s an irony not lost on long-time Qantas passengers: the airline is finally stepping into the future, but still tripping over decisions of its past.