Thursday, August 29, 2024 Qantas is gearing up for the arrival of its first Airbus A321XLR aircraft in Australia next year, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s ongoing fleet renewal program. In preparation, Qantas pilots have commenced rigorous training, while the airline has unveiled details of the enhanced cabin experience passengers can expect on board. As part of its strategy to modernize and expand its fleet, Qantas has ordered 28 Airbus A321XLR aircraft to gradually replace its aging Boeing 737s over the next decade.
The first of these advanced aircraft is scheduled to arrive in April 2025. The A321XLR, renowned for its extended range capabilities, will enable Qantas to operate new non-stop routes that are currently beyond the reach of existing aircraft, significantly enhancing the airline’s operational flexibility. The new A321XLR fleet promises a superior passenger experience, featuring quieter cabins, increased reliability, and reduced emissions per seat compared to the aircraft it replaces.
In anticipation of the A321XLR’s arrival, Qantas has launched an extensive pilot training program. Over 240 pilots will undergo training on a state-of-the-art CAE 7000XR Series A320 simulator, which was transported from Montreal, Canada to Australia earlier this year. This training will span the next three years, offering pilots new career pathways and promotional opportunities.
The training program involves up to 60 hours in the simulator, complemented by annual recurrency training sessions. The simulator, equipped with cutting-edge technology including a dual head-up display, is housed in the newly established Sydney Flight Training Centre, which will be fully operational by the end of the year with additional simulators and training equipment. Additionally, around 2,000 cabin crew members will be progressively trained on the A321XLR to ensure seamless service as the aircraft enters the fleet.
The cabins of the Qantas A321XLR have been meticulously designed with passenger comfort in mind. The aircraft will feature: With the introduction of the Airbus A321XLR, Qantas is set to elevate its customer experience, offering a blend of comfort, convenience, and cutting-edge technology on its new routes. COMMENTS Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said the arrival of the A321XLR represented significant opportunities for employees and customers.
“Qantas will be one of the first airlines in the world to operate the A321XLR and ahead of the arrival of our first aircraft next year, we’ve started pilot training and finalised the details of the customer experience,” said Ms Hudson. “Nearly half of all the customers Qantas carries each year travel on our 737 fleet so the A321XLR aircraft that we’ve ordered to replace them will be incredibly important for our future. “New aircraft mean more jobs, training and promotion opportunities for our people and we’ll be training more than 240 pilots on the new aircraft over the next three years.
“The A321XLR is a fantastic aircraft to be part of our next generation fleet, and its range and versatility will give us to opportunity to explore more non-stop routes and operate them cost effectively. “The QantasLink A220s and the Jetstar A320neo family already received as part of our Group fleet renewal program are providing major improvements in running cost, network flexibility, passenger comfort and emissions.”.
