Qantas will cut the seat capacity on the Sydney-San Francisco route by a third from 4 December by replacing the Boeing 747-400s used on its daily services with 787-9s.
The change is part of the carrier’s previously announced plans to phase its 747 fleet as it takes delivery of six additional 787s. It already has eight in service, with the next 787 due for delivery in October.
Qantas will replace the 747-400s used on its daily Sydney-San Franscisco route with 787-9s (pictured) from 4 December
Qantas
“The 747 has been the backbone of our international fleet for more than 40 years, so it will be the end of an era and the start of another when we farewell the Queen of the Skies from flying to mainland America,” commented acting Qantas International chief executive Narendra Kumar.
Cirium schedules data shows that the 787-9s have 236 seats, compared to the 361 offered on the route by the 747s.
Rival United Airlines also operates daily 787-9 services on the Sydney-San Francisco route, however its jets are configured with 255 seats.
Qantas also flies four times a week between Melbourne and San Francisco, also using 787s.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
