New Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner could be direct London-Perth flight

The aviation industry would be more competitive which is why a German bank foresees lower full-year profit for Australian flag carrier Qantas. However, the flying roo is expecting a new jet in 2017 which could open new routes for the company and make it soar above rivals.

The Telegraph reports that Qantas is scheduled to receive its first Boeing 787 in 2017. It opens the possibility for the air carrier to announce new routes by late 2016, including a likely direct flights between London and Perth.

If Qantas gets regulatory approval for the long-haul route, it would compete with the world’s longest commercial flight, Emirates’ Dubai-Auckland route, covering 8,819 miles and 17 hours and 15 minutes to fly. Qantas’s longest long-haul flight is the Dallas-Sydney leg which covers 8,578 miles.

In preparation for the arrival of a new Dreamliner, Qantas purchased a $23-million Boeing 787-9 simulator installed at the company’s Mascot headquarters, supplementing an existing simulator at the Jetstar facility in Melbourne. By having a simulator, Qantas would have the ability to replace older and less efficient jets and deliver potential new routes, says Alan Joyce, Qantas Group CEO.

The air carrier’s flight training centre runs 24/7, overseen by a team of trainers and check captains to ensure Qantas pilots are among the best in the world, Joyce says, reports Tenplay. The B787 simulator would certify a new generation of Qantas aviators to fly the next-generation plane.

As Qantas moves toward the newer aircraft, it cancelled its eight orders for A380 with Airbus. Although the A380 is well-liked by air travelers, airline demand for the four-engine jet failed to meet expectations. Instead, many airlines shift to the smaller but more fuel-efficient twin-engine planes like the 787 amid changing oil prices.

VIDEO: The Beauty of Boeing’s 787-9 Dreamliner on Display