Qantas has confirmed that it will switch from using Boeing 747-400s to 787-9s on its Sydney-Santiago route from late June 2020 as it continues to phase out the older jets by the end of next year.
The aircraft switch will also see frequency on the route increase from four-times weekly to daily, which Qantas says will add 20,000 more seats to the market each year.
“Our Dreamliner has been extremely popular with customers, so we’re pleased to give those travelling between Australia and South America the opportunity to experience it,” says acting Qantas International chief executive Narendra Kumar.
Cirium schedules data shows that the only other operator on the Sydney-Santiago route is LATAM, which operates its flights via Auckland. Both Qantas and LATAM codeshare on each other's services.
The change of aircraft on the route is part of Qantas's plan to phase out its remaining passenger 747s by the end of 2020.
Cirium's Fleets Analyzer shows that the airline has one Rolls-Royce RB211-powered 747-400 in its fleet, and six General Electric CF6-powered -400ERs.
Qantas has eight 787-9s in service with six more on order, as well as options for 38 more 787s.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
