SYDNEY- Good News for Australians as Qantas (QF) is set to become the first airline in the Asia-Pacific region (APAC) to take delivery of Airbus A321XLR in April 2025.
Today (August 29, 2024) onwards, Qantas pilots have begun training for the arrival of the first Airbus A321XLR in Australia next year. The airline also unveiled the cabin experience passengers can expect on these new aircraft.
Qantas A321XLR Pilot Training
Qantas has ordered 28 A321XLR aircraft as part of its fleet renewal program. These planes will gradually replace the Boeing 737 fleet over the next decade, with the first delivery scheduled for April 2025.
The A321XLR, the longest-range variant of the Airbus A320 family, will enable Qantas to launch new non-stop routes previously unfeasible with existing aircraft. This new fleet promises a more comfortable flying experience with quieter cabins, improved operational reliability, and reduced emissions per seat compared to their predecessors.
In preparation for the A321XLR’s arrival, Qantas pilots have started training on a new CAE 7000XR Series A320 simulator. This advanced equipment was transported from Montreal, Canada, to Australia earlier this year, completing a 34-day journey.
Over the next three years, more than 240 Qantas pilots will undergo training on the A321XLR aircraft. This initiative creates new career pathways and promotional opportunities within the airline. The training program involves up to 60 hours in the new simulator, followed by four annual recurrency training sessions.
The state-of-the-art simulator features cutting-edge technology and is one of the few worldwide equipped with a dual head-up display. It is housed in the new Sydney Flight Training Centre, which is expected to be fully operational with additional flight simulators and training equipment by year-end.
In addition to pilot training, approximately 2,000 cabin crew members will progressively receive training on the new aircraft type as they join the fleet. This comprehensive preparation ensures that Qantas staff are fully equipped to operate and service the A321XLR upon its introduction to the airline’s operations.
Qantas A321XLR Interior
Qantas has designed the A321XLR cabin and seats to maximize passenger comfort. The new Economy seats offer increased width and improved cushioning compared to 737 seats. The aircraft boasts the largest overhead bins of any single-aisle aircraft, accommodating 60% more bags than the 737.
Passengers will experience a spacious cabin with higher ceilings, large windows, and a wider layout than the 737. Fast, free Wi-Fi will be available for all customers, along with an improved Qantas Entertainment App for content streaming.
The A321XLR will seat 197 passengers across two cabins: 20 Business seats in a 2-2 configuration and 177 Economy seats in a 3-3 layout. The initial three A321XLRs for Qantas will feature 180 Economy seats.
The A321XLR is five meters longer than the outgoing 737s and offers a 13% increase in total cabin capacity without reducing seat spacing. It also provides a 66% increase in premium seats.
With a range of approximately 8,700 km, the A321XLR can fly 3,000 km further than the 737, opening up new direct domestic and short-haul international routes to destinations like Southeast Asia and the Pacific islands.
Powered by Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbo Fan engines, the A321XLR improves noise levels compared to previous generation aircraft. It is expected to consume less fuel per seat than the 737 it replaces.
Qantas employees are naming the new fleet under the theme of Walks, Rivers, and Roads, highlighting Australia’s iconic travel opportunities and the importance of connectivity. The first aircraft will be named “Great Ocean Road.”
CEO Remarks
Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said that the airline has initiated pilot training and finalized the customer experience details in preparation for the aircraft’s debut next year.
Hudson stressed the importance of the A321XLR, noting that it will replace the 737 fleet, which currently transports nearly half of Qantas’ annual passengers. This transition marks a crucial step in the airline’s future operations.
The introduction of the A321XLR will create substantial employment opportunities within Qantas. The airline plans to train over 240 pilots on the new aircraft in the next three years, offering career advancement prospects for its staff.
Hudson praised the A321XLR’s capabilities, highlighting its range and versatility. These features will enable Qantas to explore and efficiently operate new non-stop routes, expanding its network reach.
The A321XLR joins Qantas’ fleet renewal program, which already includes the QantasLink A220s and Jetstar A320neo family. These newer aircraft have demonstrated significant improvements in operational costs, network flexibility, passenger comfort, and emissions reduction.
Qantas positions itself as one of the first global airlines to operate the A321XLR, underscoring its commitment to innovation and modernization in the aviation industry.
FY 2024 Financial Result Summary
- Financial Performance:
- Achieved Underlying Profit Before Tax of $2.08 billion
- Reported Statutory Profit After Tax of $1.25 billion
- Overall earnings decreased due to fare moderation and increased customer investment
- Operational Improvements:
- Significant enhancements in operational performance and customer satisfaction
- Investments in operations, food and beverage, and digital platforms
- Increased availability of frequent flyer seats
- Fleet Renewal:
- 11 new aircraft added, including Jetstar A321neo Long Range and QantasLink A220s
- Capital expenditure increased to $3.1 billion
- The new fleet offers improved operating costs, network flexibility, and reduced emissions
- Employee Recognition:
- 23,000 non-executive employees to receive $500 staff travel vouchers
- The total voucher value for the year reaches $1,000 per employee
- Market Outlook:
- Stable bookings and travel demand
- Positive revenue intake trends across all flying brands
- Group Domestic Performance:
- Delivered $1,361 million in Underlying earnings
- EBIT margin of 14%
- Jetstar grew its domestic network by 15%
- Qantas increased capacity by 1%
- Operational Metrics:
- Qantas’ on-time performance improved, reaching 80% in Q4
- Jetstar achieved 74% on-time departures
- Qantas Domestic’s Net Promoter Score increased by 24 points
- Mishandled baggage reduced by almost a third, surpassing pre-COVID levels
- Customer Support:
- Provided free flights to over 45,000 Bonza and Rex customers after their cessation of operations
- Group International and Freight:
- Earnings moderated to $755 million Underlying EBIT
- Returned to pre-COVID international capacity in May 2024
- Unit revenue declined by 11%, with a slower decline in the second half
- Qantas Loyalty:
- Record Underlying EBIT of $511 million
- Introduced a new flight redemption product, Classic Plus Flight Rewards
- Acquired remaining stake in TripADeal
- Financial Position:
- Ended the year with $10.2 billion in liquidity
- Net debt rose to $4.1 billion
- Announced up to $400 million share buy-back for the first half of FY25
- Sustainability Initiatives:
- Committed investments in decarbonization projects
- Advocating for domestic sustainable aviation fuel industry
- Renewed agreement for sustainable aviation fuel at Heathrow
- Future Outlook:
- Expect stable travel demand across the portfolio
- Anticipates positive revenue momentum for FY25
- Forecasts increase in Group Domestic unit revenue and decline in Group International unit revenue
Bottom Line
I think Qantas is set to revolutionize air travel with the help of Project Sunrise with the A350-1000 and A321XLR fleet.
The new research and product launched by Qantas will lay the foundation stone for long-haul travel. Especially the wellbeing Zone and improved seating.
Next year will mark the era for futuristic air travel and Qantas is leading from the front.
What are your thoughts on Qantas A321XLR? Which is your favourite aircraft and why? Let us know in the comments section.
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