Qantas is in confidential discussions with planemakers over a possible purchase of around 20 new wide-body jets, industry sources said. The talks are focused on either additional Boeing 787 aircraft or the standard Airbus A350-900 variant, according to people briefed on the conversations who declined to be named because the negotiations are private.
Airbus and Boeing declined to comment on the matter. A Qantas spokesperson reiterated the airline's standard position on fleet planning, saying: "We’re in regular contact with aircraft manufacturers as part of our ongoing fleet planning and always update the market when we have something to announce. We currently have no updates or orders to announce."
The discussions come amid a broader trend of airlines enlarging their wide-body fleets to help address capacity shortages across the industry, despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty that has affected global markets.
Industry reporting has linked Qantas' examination of options to a choice between procuring more of Boeing's twin-aisle 787 family or shifting some future demand to Airbus' principal A350-900 model. The carrier has not yet ordered the main A350-900 variant, even though lightweight composite jets like the 787 and A350 are now central to the wide-body sector.
Qantas operates about 128 jets and is in the midst of a fleet renewal programme that spans some 200 aircraft. As part of that programme the airline already has outstanding orders for 12 Boeing 787s and 24 larger Airbus A350-1000s, the latter including 12 of an "Ultra-Long Range" variant tailored for non-stop services from Australia’s east coast to London or New York under a plan branded "Project Sunrise."
Qantas has also disclosed existing options to buy additional aircraft, split evenly between Airbus and Boeing. The industry sources said some of these options could be exercised as part of the current study into acquiring roughly 20 more wide-body jets.
The specially adapted A350-1000ULR, which is intended to enable the record 22-hour Project Sunrise non-stop flights, completed its maiden test flight on Tuesday. However, the first delivery of that ultra-long-range variant has been delayed by about four months, with the initial handover now expected in April 2027 due to supply chain issues cited by the manufacturer.
Qantas' exploratory discussions take place against a backdrop of other carriers also planning capacity growth. Earlier reporting noted that Singapore Airlines has opened talks to acquire at least 50 of the industry's largest jets to cater to expansion over the next decade.
While the outcome of Qantas' current consultations with Airbus and Boeing has not been determined, the carrier's existing mixture of firm orders and options means it has multiple pathways available should it choose to proceed. For now, Qantas maintains it has no announcement to make while it continues routine engagement with manufacturers as part of long-term fleet planning.