eFlyer Asia - Intelligence

Qantas Cuts First, Adds More Seats

Qantas is reducing the number of first-class seats available on its long-haul routes in response to shifting travel trends across the globe.

In future, long-haul passengers will only be able to fly first class on Qantas A380 services from Sydney (SYD) and Melbourne (MEL) to London (LHR) via Singapore (SIN) and Los Angeles (LAX).

"Maintaining a First offering on flagship routes is essential for Qantas as a premium airline. It is vital that we align this offering with forecast demand which is expected to be relatively slow compared to business, premium-economy and economy," said Alan Joyce, CEO, Qantas.

The airline is also spending AUD 400 million to upgrade seats and inflight entertainment on nine Boeing 747-400 aircraft. "The major upgrade will give all our long-haul customers access to our award-winning seats and inflight entertainment Qantas offers on its flagship aircraft, the A380," said Joyce.

Starting in late 2011 Qantas is removing all first class from its nine Boeing 747-400s and installing business-class seats in their place. The B747-400s will be upgraded and fitted with Qantas' A380 standard seats and inflight product, including a fully flat Skybed sleeper seat in business, the award-winning Marc Newson designed and Recaro manufactured seat in economy and state-of-the-art on-demand Panasonic inflight entertainment in all classes. The new three-class configuration will offer 359 seats (58 business, 36 premium-economy and 265 economy), an increase of 52 seats overall.

The 12 A380s already in service will continue to fly with a four-class configuration, including first class, but will be refitted to reduce business seating and increase premium-economy and economy seating.

The eight A380 aircraft due to be delivered to Qantas from 2012 will have just three classes — business, premium-economy and economy — however allocation has yet to be confirmed.

 

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