Qantas Readies For Airbus A321XLR

Qantas is continuing to prepare for the upcoming delivery of the Airbus A321XLR, with the expected date approaching.

The Australian flag carrier says preparations are underway, with pilots having begun training to prepare for the arrival.

Qantas expects the first delivery of the A321XLR in April 2025. This is part of a major overhaul to the fleet within Qantas Group as greater emphasis is placed on modernisation and renewal efforts.

At this stage, the 28 total A321XLRs will be an important pillar of replacement efforts for the existing 737 fleet, which has served the company well for so long.

However, by implementing something like the Airbus A321XLR, the true progression of aircraft capabilities is shown with higher capacity and greater range available for the company.

Qantas pilots are now training through a simulator shipped across a 34-day journey from Montreal, Canada, to Australia to aid pilots.

240 pilots are expected to be trained on the A321XLR over the next three years, with great opportunities for new pathways to be forged for existing and prospective future employees.

The simulator will be used for 60 hours as part of the broader training program, and four recurring training sessions will be held each year to ensure pilots’ preparation.

Qantas notes that the simulator is state-of-the-art with the latest technology, including a dual head-up display, and will ensure pilots are in the best shape to tackle the life-size aircraft once it’s delivered.

This simulator for A321XLR training is based at the Sydney Flight Training Centre, and this centre will undoubtedly get a workout in the coming years as many more aircraft types enter the airline’s operation.

Away from pilots, Qantas states that around 2,000 cabin crew will be trained to work on the A321XLR in the future, a considerable amount that makes sense considering the intent to leverage the XLR to replace the 737s, which are workhorses on a domestic front.

Qantas will be among some of the early adopters of the A321XLR, which recently obtained the necessary certification for it to enter service with Iberia shortly.

This variant is an enhanced base A321neo. With range at the core of its capabilities, the type is widely considered a game changer for airline operations worldwide.

The A321XLR is five metres longer than the 737 and has a 13% increase in the cabin without a reduction in the space between seats that could thus compromise the comfortability factor.

Furthermore, the A321XLR will burn less fuel than the outgoing Boeing 737s while also seeing noise levels improve with greater efficiencies across the board.

Qantas has also revealed that the first three A321XLRs will be delivered with 180 economy-class seats, and the first unit will be called Great Ocean Road.