Qantas Airways will embark on a A$400 million ($359 million) revamp of its fleet, including removing first class seats from nine existing Boeing 747-400s and taking delivery of eight Airbus A380s without first class seats.
This move is being made in response to changing worldwide "travel trends", especially in the wake of the economic downturn that began in 2008, says Australia's flag carrier. It is also a commitment to retaining the Oneworld alliance member as a premium airline, adds Qantas CEO Alan Joyce.
"While some travel markets are recovering from the economic crisis, our assessment of longer-term travel trends, which pre-dates the economic crisis, shows that international premium travel demand is changing," says Joyce.
"Just as Qantas was quick to respond to the downturn, we are now ensuring that we are best placed to take advantage of the recovery and continue to invest in fleet, product and service."
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Under the changes, nine 747-400s will be upgraded and fitted with the newer seats that are available on the carrier's A380 fleet. The first class cabins will be removed and business seats installed in their place. This three-class configuration will offer 359 seats, an increase of 52 overall. This includes 58 business seats, 36 premium economy and 265 economy seats. A new Panasonic on-demand in-flight entertainment system will also be installed in all classes.
This will "add the equivalent capacity of more than three 747-400s, ensuring we can support future growth while reducing the need to purchase additional aircraft", says Qantas. The carrier operates 22 747-400s and it expects the nine that will be refurbished to be in service until 2020.
Within Qantas' A380 fleet, the six that are already in service and six more that are due for delivery up till mid-2011 will continue to fly with a four class configuration. However, these will be refitted to reduce business seating and increase premium economy and economy seating.
The remaining eight A380s that are on order and due to be delivered from 2012 will come in a three-class configuration with no first class cabins. The A380 seat numbers will be confirmed after discussions with Airbus and suppliers, says Qantas.
"The split A380 fleet will give Qantas greater flexibility to schedule the right aircraft, and the right configuration, on the right route, based on market demand," says the carrier.
First class seats will remain on main routes such as those from Sydney and Melbourne to Los Angeles and London, it adds. The increased seat density on the aircraft will help increase revenues, says the carrier.
The upgrade and reconfiguration programme will begin at the end of 2011 and will be completed by the end of 2013, says Qantas.
"These changes will ensure we remain competitive in terms of aircraft configuration, product and service and that we are better able to ensure capacity is more closely aligned with demand," says Joyce.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
