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It’s the end of an era. And the start of an amazing time for Australian families who love to travel.
Qantas has ordered six more Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners to bring the fleet to 14 by the end of 2020.
The Dreamliner order means it’s time to say goodbye to the trusty 747 Jumbo.
The last six Boeing 747s – an aircraft that has been used by Qantas since 1971 – will be retired in 2020.
Most Australians who have taken an international flight with Qantas would have flown on a 747. The plane, used for regular services to Singapore, was known by pilots and aviation experts as a game-changer for aviation. It was reliable, well-built and economical. That meant flying became cheaper and more accessible for more Australians.
Then the Dreamliner came along. And took things up a notch.
The first Dreamliner began operational service for Qantas in 2017. It uses 20 per cent less fuel than other aircraft of its size, its windows are 65 per cent larger and positioned higher. The cabin pressure is lower, meaning conditions on board are close to that on the ground.
But most importantly, the Dreamliner is capable of flying longer distances, with more passengers. And that’s what is set to change travel forever for Australian families.
Earlier this year the Qantas Dreamliner completed the first non-stop flight from Perth to London. Expect more destinations and more direct flights to come.
“The jumbo has been the backbone of Qantas International for more than 40 years and we’ve flown almost every type that Boeing built,” Qantas CEO Allan Joyce says.
“Over the years, each new version of the 747 allowed Qantas to fly further and improve what we offered passengers. The Dreamliners are now doing the same thing.”
“The 787 has better economics and a longer range, and its already opened up new routes like Perth to London. With a larger fleet of Dreamliners, we’ll be looking at destinations in the Americas, Asia, South Africa and Europe,” Joyce says
“By the end of 2020 we’ll have farewelled the 747, finished upgrading the cabins of our A380s, and welcomed our fourteenth 787. That’s a great proposition for our customers and creates some really exciting opportunities for our people.”
Qantas has also challenged designers to create a plane capable of flying Sydney to London non-stop, in comfort. Known as Project Sunrise, it will be the next step in make the world closer for Australians.
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Travel allows you to get outside your bubble. It makes you realise there are other ways to do things, and that’s OK. Plus, I am a huge fan of skiing and for the best powder – you need to head overseas.