Long haul low cost could gradually transform city pair opportunities

ONE OF THE AIRCRAFT that can make this happen is the A321neoLR (A321LR). The Qantas Group, on 22-Feb-2018 announced the conversion of 18 A321neo orders to the A321LR. Qantas' LCC subsidiary Jetstar Airways plans to take delivery of the 18 aircraft from 2020 to 2022.

Jetstar is only the third LCC to commit to the A321LR, joining Air Arabia and Norwegian Air. At the Dubai Airshow in Nov-2017, Air Arabia signed a deal with Air Lease Corporation for six A321LRs, while Norwegian announced the conversion of 30 A320neo orders to A321LRs in Jul-2016.

Air Arabia and Norwegian both plan to take delivery of A321LRs from 1H2019 while Jetstar must wait until mid 2020 as there are no more early slots available. Airbus completed the first A321LR test flight on 31-Jan-2018 and expects to certify the aircraft in 2Q2018.