As it gears up for its 100th birthday next year, Qantas has unveiled a special centenary livery on its latest Boeing 787-9.
As it gears up for its 100th birthday next year, Qantas has unveiled a special centenary livery on its latest Boeing 787-9.
The aircraft, registered VH-ZNJ, rolled out of the paint shop at Boeing’s factory in Seattle. The special livery features every Qantas logo since its founding in 1920.
All photos: Qantas
The widebody will be named Longreach, the same name given to the airline’s series of retiring 747-400s. “[It is also] a nod to the Queensland town that was integral to the national carrier’s beginnings [and] its role in conquering the tyranny of distance,” Qantas adds.
The 787 will next embark on a series of test flights, before being handed over to Qantas in November.
From there, it will embark on the second of Qantas’ Project Sunrise research flights, which involve non-stop flights between London and Sydney, before entering normal commercial service. Sister aircraft VH-ZNI is set to embark on the first research flight on 18 October, flying from New York to Sydney.
VH-ZNJ is the carrier’s 10th 787. Cirium fleets data indicates the airline has another four 787-9s on order.
