diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_vrepl.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_vrepl.yml
index f7fbd7ef76b..e347dc53eaf 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_vrepl.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_vrepl.yml
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ jobs:
   build:
     timeout-minutes: 60
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (onlineddl_vrepl)
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest-xl
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_vrepl_stress.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_vrepl_stress.yml
index d643be3c944..07494308f29 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_vrepl_stress.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_vrepl_stress.yml
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ jobs:
   build:
     timeout-minutes: 60
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (onlineddl_vrepl_stress)
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest-xl
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_vrepl_stress_suite.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_vrepl_stress_suite.yml
index 7bfcb96ee48..5cfc269565e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_vrepl_stress_suite.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_vrepl_stress_suite.yml
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ jobs:
   build:
     timeout-minutes: 60
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (onlineddl_vrepl_stress_suite)
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest-xl
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_vrepl_suite.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_vrepl_suite.yml
index 9432a6c33d3..885033d34b4 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_vrepl_suite.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_vrepl_suite.yml
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ jobs:
   build:
     timeout-minutes: 60
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (onlineddl_vrepl_suite)
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest-xl
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_basic.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_basic.yml
index bcc74d08ac5..4de86380f72 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_basic.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_basic.yml
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ jobs:
   build:
     timeout-minutes: 60
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vreplication_basic)
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest-xl
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_migrate.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_migrate.yml
index 0804029f004..998778dc72b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_migrate.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_migrate.yml
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ jobs:
   build:
     timeout-minutes: 60
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vreplication_migrate)
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest-xl
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_transaction.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_transaction.yml
index 61bf17c6f07..08f08decec8 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_transaction.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_transaction.yml
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ jobs:
   build:
     timeout-minutes: 60
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vtgate_transaction)
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest-xl
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
diff --git a/.github/workflows/docker_build_images.yml b/.github/workflows/docker_build_images.yml
index a9d4ed2ceeb..830e80c338d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/docker_build_images.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/docker_build_images.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ permissions: read-all
 jobs:
   build_and_push_vttestserver:
     name: Build and push vttestserver
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest-xl
     if: github.repository == 'vitessio/vitess'
 
     strategy:
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ jobs:
 
   build_and_push_components:
     name: Build and push
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest-xl
     if: github.repository == 'vitessio/vitess' && needs.build_and_push_lite.result == 'success'
     needs:
       - build_and_push_lite
diff --git a/.github/workflows/local_example.yml b/.github/workflows/local_example.yml
index ff7a74d627d..b246b4ac6bb 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/local_example.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/local_example.yml
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ jobs:
 
   build:
     name: Local example using ${{ matrix.topo }} on Ubuntu
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest-xl
     strategy:
       matrix:
         topo: [consul,etcd,zk2]
diff --git a/.github/workflows/region_example.yml b/.github/workflows/region_example.yml
index 0c17a10339f..6a0bb70f63e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/region_example.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/region_example.yml
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ jobs:
 
   build:
     name: Region Sharding example using ${{ matrix.topo }} on Ubuntu
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest-xl
     strategy:
       matrix:
         topo: [etcd]
diff --git a/.github/workflows/unit_race.yml b/.github/workflows/unit_race.yml
index 6ee966685c2..62543780145 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/unit_race.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/unit_race.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ jobs:
 
   build:
     name: Unit Test (Race)
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest-xl
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
       run: |
diff --git a/.github/workflows/unit_race_evalengine.yml b/.github/workflows/unit_race_evalengine.yml
index 7758021c90a..ecf73f9558a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/unit_race_evalengine.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/unit_race_evalengine.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ jobs:
 
   build:
     name: Unit Test (Evalengine_Race)
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest-xl
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
       run: |
diff --git a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_backups_e2e.yml b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_backups_e2e.yml
index d4736fa373f..93b9ce5bd4b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_backups_e2e.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_backups_e2e.yml
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ jobs:
   upgrade_downgrade_test_e2e:
     timeout-minutes: 60
     name: Run Upgrade Downgrade Test - Backups - E2E
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest-xl
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
diff --git a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_backups_e2e_next_release.yml b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_backups_e2e_next_release.yml
index 651bb1a5049..56ced8fbaa4 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_backups_e2e_next_release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_backups_e2e_next_release.yml
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ jobs:
   upgrade_downgrade_test_e2e:
     timeout-minutes: 60
     name: Run Upgrade Downgrade Test - Backups - E2E - Next Release
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest-xl
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
diff --git a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_backups_manual.yml b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_backups_manual.yml
index ce3030de626..db001b3d961 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_backups_manual.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_backups_manual.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ jobs:
   upgrade_downgrade_test_manual:
     timeout-minutes: 40
     name: Run Upgrade Downgrade Test - Backups - Manual
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest-xl
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
diff --git a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_backups_manual_next_release.yml b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_backups_manual_next_release.yml
index 73b7e837c42..255bdcc0c8e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_backups_manual_next_release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_backups_manual_next_release.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ jobs:
   upgrade_downgrade_test_manual:
     timeout-minutes: 40
     name: Run Upgrade Downgrade Test - Backups - Manual - Next Release
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest-xl
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
diff --git a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_onlineddl_flow.yml b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_onlineddl_flow.yml
index e05dafa750c..a27ac081a4c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_onlineddl_flow.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_onlineddl_flow.yml
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ jobs:
   upgrade_downgrade_test:
     timeout-minutes: 60
     name: Run Upgrade Downgrade Test - Online DDL flow
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest-xl
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
diff --git a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_queries.yml b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_queries.yml
index 9b89a0db0e8..deb61ccaadd 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_queries.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_queries.yml
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ jobs:
   upgrade_downgrade_test:
     timeout-minutes: 60
     name: Run Upgrade Downgrade Test - Query Serving (Queries)
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest-xl
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
diff --git a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_queries_2.yml b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_queries_2.yml
index 52c9af6bb2c..fe1286cf44c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_queries_2.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_queries_2.yml
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ jobs:
   upgrade_downgrade_test:
     timeout-minutes: 60
     name: Run Upgrade Downgrade Test - Query Serving (Queries - 2)
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest-xl
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
diff --git a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_queries_2_next_release.yml b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_queries_2_next_release.yml
index 316cb509b77..5ee482dae81 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_queries_2_next_release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_queries_2_next_release.yml
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ jobs:
   upgrade_downgrade_test:
     timeout-minutes: 60
     name: Run Upgrade Downgrade Test - Query Serving (Queries - 2) Next Release
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest-xl
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
diff --git a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_queries_next_release.yml b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_queries_next_release.yml
index 47808818e30..6b185b93851 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_queries_next_release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_queries_next_release.yml
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ jobs:
   upgrade_downgrade_test:
     timeout-minutes: 60
     name: Run Upgrade Downgrade Test - Query Serving (Queries) Next Release
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest-xl
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
diff --git a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_schema.yml b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_schema.yml
index 510eac2a52f..9e48dbd802a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_schema.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_schema.yml
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ jobs:
   upgrade_downgrade_test:
     timeout-minutes: 60
     name: Run Upgrade Downgrade Test - Query Serving (Schema)
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest-xl
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
diff --git a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_schema_next_release.yml b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_schema_next_release.yml
index 158397a2d28..e2c8ab511a8 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_schema_next_release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_schema_next_release.yml
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ jobs:
   upgrade_downgrade_test:
     timeout-minutes: 60
     name: Run Upgrade Downgrade Test - Query Serving (Schema) Next Release
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest-xl
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
diff --git a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_reparent_new_vtctl.yml b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_reparent_new_vtctl.yml
index 533542586ed..38087654d6f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_reparent_new_vtctl.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_reparent_new_vtctl.yml
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ jobs:
   upgrade_downgrade_test:
     timeout-minutes: 60
     name: Run Upgrade Downgrade Test - Reparent New Vtctl
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest-xl
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
diff --git a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_reparent_new_vttablet.yml b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_reparent_new_vttablet.yml
index 1d124145a3b..5b051d13416 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_reparent_new_vttablet.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_reparent_new_vttablet.yml
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ jobs:
   upgrade_downgrade_test:
     timeout-minutes: 60
     name: Run Upgrade Downgrade Test - Reparent New VTTablet
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest-xl
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
diff --git a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_reparent_old_vtctl.yml b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_reparent_old_vtctl.yml
index b7e2089f1f0..5f36e59c95d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_reparent_old_vtctl.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_reparent_old_vtctl.yml
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ jobs:
   upgrade_downgrade_test:
     timeout-minutes: 60
     name: Run Upgrade Downgrade Test - Reparent Old Vtctl
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest-xl
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
diff --git a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_reparent_old_vttablet.yml b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_reparent_old_vttablet.yml
index 5f274962abe..1da8a09597d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_reparent_old_vttablet.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_reparent_old_vttablet.yml
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ jobs:
   upgrade_downgrade_test:
     timeout-minutes: 60
     name: Run Upgrade Downgrade Test - Reparent Old VTTablet
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest-xl
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
diff --git a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_semi_sync.yml b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_semi_sync.yml
index 3b7371c8885..6a5ab158148 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_semi_sync.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_semi_sync.yml
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ jobs:
   upgrade_downgrade_test_e2e:
     timeout-minutes: 60
     name: Run Semi Sync Upgrade Downgrade Test
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest-xl
 
     steps:
       - name: Skip CI
diff --git a/go/vt/vtgate/planbuilder/operators/subquery_planning.go b/go/vt/vtgate/planbuilder/operators/subquery_planning.go
index 221ad6beb59..bd4b8f4c85a 100644
--- a/go/vt/vtgate/planbuilder/operators/subquery_planning.go
+++ b/go/vt/vtgate/planbuilder/operators/subquery_planning.go
@@ -551,6 +551,9 @@ func tryMergeSubqueryWithOuter(ctx *plancontext.PlanningContext, subQuery *SubQu
 	if !subQuery.IsArgument {
 		op.Source = newFilter(outer.Source, subQuery.Original)
 	}
+	if outer.Comments != nil {
+		op.Comments = outer.Comments
+	}
 	ctx.MergedSubqueries = append(ctx.MergedSubqueries, subQuery.originalSubquery)
 	return op, Rewrote("merged subquery with outer")
 }
diff --git a/go/vt/vtgate/planbuilder/testdata/select_cases.json b/go/vt/vtgate/planbuilder/testdata/select_cases.json
index a10274cbc78..29a70298677 100644
--- a/go/vt/vtgate/planbuilder/testdata/select_cases.json
+++ b/go/vt/vtgate/planbuilder/testdata/select_cases.json
@@ -985,6 +985,77 @@
     },
     "skip_e2e": true
   },
+  {
+    "comment": "Comments with subquery",
+    "query": "select /* comment */ user.col from user where id IN (select id from user where id > 1 and id < 10)",
+    "plan": {
+      "Type": "Scatter",
+      "QueryType": "SELECT",
+      "Original": "select /* comment */ user.col from user where id IN (select id from user where id > 1 and id < 10)",
+      "Instructions": {
+        "OperatorType": "Route",
+        "Variant": "Scatter",
+        "Keyspace": {
+          "Name": "user",
+          "Sharded": true
+        },
+        "FieldQuery": "select `user`.col from `user` where 1 != 1",
+        "Query": "select /* comment */ `user`.col from `user` where id in (select id from `user` where id > 1 and id < 10)",
+        "Table": "`user`"
+      },
+      "TablesUsed": [
+        "user.user"
+      ]
+    },
+    "skip_e2e": true
+  },
+  {
+    "comment": "Comments with subquery not merged into a single route",
+    "query": "select /* comment */ user.col from user where foo IN (select id from user where id > 1 and id < 10)",
+    "plan": {
+      "Type": "Complex",
+      "QueryType": "SELECT",
+      "Original": "select /* comment */ user.col from user where foo IN (select id from user where id > 1 and id < 10)",
+      "Instructions": {
+        "OperatorType": "UncorrelatedSubquery",
+        "Variant": "PulloutIn",
+        "PulloutVars": [
+          "__sq_has_values",
+          "__sq1"
+        ],
+        "Inputs": [
+          {
+            "InputName": "SubQuery",
+            "OperatorType": "Route",
+            "Variant": "Scatter",
+            "Keyspace": {
+              "Name": "user",
+              "Sharded": true
+            },
+            "FieldQuery": "select id from `user` where 1 != 1",
+            "Query": "select /* comment */ id from `user` where id > 1 and id < 10",
+            "Table": "`user`"
+          },
+          {
+            "InputName": "Outer",
+            "OperatorType": "Route",
+            "Variant": "Scatter",
+            "Keyspace": {
+              "Name": "user",
+              "Sharded": true
+            },
+            "FieldQuery": "select `user`.col from `user` where 1 != 1",
+            "Query": "select /* comment */ `user`.col from `user` where :__sq_has_values and foo in ::__sq1",
+            "Table": "`user`"
+          }
+        ]
+      },
+      "TablesUsed": [
+        "user.user"
+      ]
+    },
+    "skip_e2e": true
+  },
   {
     "comment": "for update",
     "query": "select user.col from user join user_extra for update",
diff --git a/test/ci_workflow_gen.go b/test/ci_workflow_gen.go
index 61ac2b4dd6a..8c350033fd6 100644
--- a/test/ci_workflow_gen.go
+++ b/test/ci_workflow_gen.go
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ var (
 
 const (
 	oracleCloudRunner = "oracle-16cpu-64gb-x86-64"
-	githubRunner      = "gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04"
+	githubRunner      = "ubuntu-latest-xl"
 	cores16RunnerName = githubRunner
 	defaultRunnerName = "ubuntu-24.04"
 )