restructures and a greater focus on aircraft
utilisation.
Over the next two years the company
recovered from its financial woes, posting
a record profit of AU$1.03bn in 2016. This
overwhelming result bolstered the operator’s
position and enabled it to commit to a 2017
delivery date for its own 787-9s.DIRECT TO LONDON
With the future of the 787 in the Qantas fleet
assured, the carrier set about revolutionising
the way the Dreamliner would operate. In
a world-first move in December 2016, it
announced direct flights from Australia to the
UK, with the 787-9 to operate a daily Perth to
London Heathrow service.
A jubilant CEO, Alan Joyce, was quick
to point out the significance of the route,
which spans 8,958 miles (14,400km).
“This is a game-changing route flown by a
game-changing aircraft. Australians have
never had a direct link to Europe before, so
the opportunities this opens up are huge,”
commented Joyce when the flights were
announced.
“It’s great news for travellers because it
will make it easier to get to London. It’s great
news for Western Australia because it will
bring jobs and tourism. And it’s great news
for the nation, because it will bring us closerto one of our biggest trade partners and
sources of visitors.”
In addition, Dreamliners will be used on
long-haul routes from Australia’s east coast
to the United States, while further direct
connections to European cities, such as
Paris, are a real possibility.
To cater for these long-haul services,
the carrier has upgraded the design of its
three-class cabin, ensuring the extreme-
duration services are not just bearable, but
comfortable for travellers.
With no First Class, the airline has
pegged its premium future on a highly
regarded Business Suite. There are 42
spread out in a spacious 1-2-1 configuration,
located across two cabins.
The suite is a refined version of the
design used aboard the company’s A
fleet, and includes the same 6ft 6in (2m) fully
flat bed, ample work and storage space and
high levels of privacy for each passenger.
Key changes include a darker wood
veneer, giving the seat a more luxurious
feel, as well as a movable divider between
the middle seats (it is fixed on the A330),making the 787 far more ‘couple friendly’ on
long flights.
Each Business Class traveller is provided
with a turn-down service, complete with
mattress, pillow and plush duvet. A smart
inclusion is the ‘do not disturb’ button, which
changes the illumination of the seat number
from white to red, meaning the crew will
leave sleeping passengers alone if they don’t
wish to be woken for meals.
The seats come with an easily accessible
multi-use charging point, a USB point and
a headphone jack, while stylish sound-
cancelling headphones are provided. There
is also a handy storage space for tablet
computers or laptops, and a place to keep
a bottle.
The hard product is matched by a high
level of service, with crew trained to remain
attentive over long-duration flights. Menus
are inspired by Australian chef Neil Perry,
and include a selection of “small plates”
(Qantas’ term for entrées), main dishes and
desserts, and a well-stocked snack bar.
Premium Economy comprises 28 seats
in a 2-3-2 layout. These seats are a refined
version of the design used on its A380s and
include a number of changes that add an
overall more premium feel.
A notable addition is the brushed
aluminium shell, giving a sense of privacy.20 Aviation News incorporating Jets January 2018Above: Qantas Group’s first 787, VH-VKA, was
delivered to low-cost subsidiary Jetstar.
Bottom: Great Southern Land arriving for the
first time in Sydney. Qantas18-21_quantasDC.mfDC.mf.indd 20 04/12/2017 14: