Page 52 - AA 2018_11

QANTAS A380 AT 10

Qantas’s A380 network
comprises six routes.
seth jaworski
can allow more passengers on board. configuration on the lower deck.
But the jet fuel price hovers above $80 Work on the first A380 is expected
to $90, so it just becomes uneconomic to begin in the second quarter of
and unsustainable.” next year and all 12 aircraft will be
That trend is apparent wherever upgraded by the end of 2020.
you look. Apart from Emirates with its “Customers love the A380,” said
mega transit hub, no-one is ordering Joyce.
A380s. Indeed, the last two purchased “This upgrade is a major
were by Japan’s All Nippon Airways investment in putting the next
which is taking them to operate on generation of seats on the aircraft
a single route, the tourist-oriented, as well as more creature comforts to
high-density service from Japan to maintain its status as one of the best
Hawaii. There is universal recognition ways to fly. We’re seeing increased
that if Emirates had not placed a new demand for premium economy and
$16 billion order for 36 more A380s in additional six business class and 25 Qantas’s A380 cabin refit will business class on the long-haul routes
January this year the production line premium economy seats, increasing include a new upper deck that the A380 operates, including
would have been run down and the the overall seat count on the aircraft lounge space. from people using their Qantas points
program ended. by one and increasing premium to upgrade,” he added.
Not that any of this means Qantas seating by 27 per cent. “When you combine this upgrade
will be phasing out the A380 anytime New premium economy seating with the other investments we’ve
soon. The airline announced last year will be in a 2-3-2 configuration. This been making in new aircraft and new
a major A380 upgrade to improve seat is almost 10 per cent wider than cabins, it will give us consistency
passenger comfort on long-haul the model it replaces and debuted on with our premium seats across the
flights and tap the growing market for the Qantas 787 last year. A380, A330 and incoming B787
premium travel. The front end of the A380’s ‘Customers Dreamliner.”
Structural changes are focused on upper deck will also be reconfigured But while the flagship A380 has
the upper deck where 30 economy to redesign the passenger lounge love the become a fixture in the history of an
seats will be removed and some to provide more room for first and iconic airline, one thing is certain. It
partitions and a crew workstation business class customers to dine and will never reach the impact of the 747
rearranged to use space more relax. First class will be enhanced, A380.’ but it will remain an integral part of
effectively. This will allow for an although it remains in its current ALAN JOYCE the fleet for many years to come.

52 AUSTRALIAN AVIATION