As a young girl gazing at the sky, Allegra Nash would watch Qantas planes soar overhead, dreaming that one day she might command an aircraft bearing the iconic Flying Kangaroo. Today, that childhood fantasy has become her reality, with roles reversed as her father now scans the skies hoping to spot his daughter at work.
From Dreamer to Pilot
First Officer Allegra Nash has completed a remarkable journey from aviation enthusiast to qualified pilot with QantasLink. The 22-year-old Sydney native recalls how her passion for flying began during her school years. "I remember seeing the Flying Kangaroo up in the sky when I was a kid," Allegra reflects. "Now it's my dad who's looking up at the sky to see if I'm coming in because our home sits under one of the flight paths."
Her father has developed a unique way of staying connected to his daughter's profession. "He likes to sit on the trampoline and watch my flight coming in," she shares, illustrating the full-circle moment that defines her aviation career.
Making History in the Cockpit
Allegra's career reached a significant milestone earlier this year when she participated in one of more than 50 flights operated entirely by women in the lead-up to International Women's Day 2025. This historic initiative involved over 250 female professionals across Qantas, QantasLink and Jetstar, including pilots, cabin crew, engineers, and operations staff.
The women-operated flights spanned more than 20 routes across Australia, New Zealand and Asia, representing a major step forward for gender diversity in aviation. For Allegra, International Women's Day holds special significance in her professional journey.
"At high school, I did a project for International Women's Day and got to tour the Qantas air base and go on the flight simulator," she recalls. "I 100 per cent knew then that becoming a pilot was option A for me."
Qantas Academy: Launching Careers
Allegra is a graduate of the Qantas Group Pilot Academy in Toowoomba, Queensland, which provides world-class, customised pilot training for the Australian aviation industry. The academy represents an accelerated pathway into the Qantas group, offering cadets with low flying hours the rare opportunity to join QantasLink.
Her training journey wasn't without challenges, having been accepted into the Queensland academy during the COVID-19 pandemic. "There were a couple of hurdles to get across the border during Covid but we got there in the end," she states.
The academy focuses on producing future airline captains rather than simply training students to obtain a licence, with significant investment in next-generation aircraft and simulators. Through Flight Training Adelaide (FTA), the institution mentors students with little to no flying experience, with graduates receiving invitations to attend a Qantas Group Accelerate Assessment Centre.
Allegra speaks warmly of her training experience: "It's a lot of fun; Toowoomba is a beautiful place, up on the hill there. The community is really great. The best part about the course is the friendships you make and the relationships you have with instructors, ground staff and peers."
Successful graduates become eligible for employment as pilots with QantasLink, Jetstar or Network Aviation Australia. The academy also maintains a scholarship program aimed at removing barriers to entry and enhancing diversity in the pilot population, particularly supporting women and First Nations people.
Connecting Australian Communities
For Allegra, working with Qantas represents more than just a career - it's about connecting Australian communities and families. "Qantas embodies what it means to be Australian," she explains. "We use it to get everywhere, to see your family, to see your friends, to go on holidays – it's a huge part of our life in Australia."
She particularly values the role Qantas plays in regional connectivity. "To be able to connect regional communities is so important. I love it when we have kids on our flights and they're flying off to see their extended families, so it's great to know we are connecting families in that way."
Beyond transportation, Allegra notes Qantas's broader contributions to Australian society, including supporting sports, the Olympics, and causes like breast cancer research.
As she continues her journey with QantasLink, Allegra represents the new generation of female aviators breaking barriers in Australian aviation, proving that childhood dreams viewed from backyard trampolines can indeed take flight.
