Qantas plans a trans-world hop
By Steve Creedy
18-10-2005
From: The Australian
http://finance.news.com.au/story/0,10166,16950165-462,00.html
"QANTAS is evaluating a non-stop, all business-class service between Sydney and London as part of the multi-billion-dollar aircraft order due to be considered by its board in December. One the new service, which would use Boeing 777-200LR ultra-long range aircraft, Qantas (qan.ASX:Quote,News) would charge a premium to slice several hours off one-stop flight times.
It is understood the flying kangaroo is looking at the 777-200LR, which would have far fewer passengers in an all-business configuration, with a lighter interior and possibly additional fuel capacity to allow it to cope with headwinds on the marathon Sydney-London leg.
But the airline would only proceed with the proposal if it believed it could guarantee the leg from Sydney would not require a stopover.
A 777-200LR in a standard configuration can fly from London to Sydney, but not the other way because of headwinds.
Officials believe there is a market for an all-business service but are wary about upsetting well-heeled customers by being unable to deliver on promised non-stop flights.
Other potential destinations for an ultra-long range service include New York and the major hub of alliance partner American Airlines at Dallas-Fort Worth.
Boeing and Airbus are both bidding for the Qantas contract of about 75 aircraft and Qantas chief executive Geoff Dixon hopes to take a proposal to the airline's December board meeting.
The all-business proposal comes as Qantas has reduced the number of seats in the airline's three-class double-decker A380s from 501 to 474. The move brings the Qantas passenger count into line with Singapore Airlines.
Qantas is expected to further outline its plans for the superjumbo when the giant plane visits Australia next month to take part in Qantas's 85th birthday celebrations.
The plane will visit Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney as part of a tour that also includes Frankfurt, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Dubai. The airline is also considering the new generation of more efficient Airbus A350 or Boeing 787 aircraft for the mooted expansion of Jetstar on international routes.
Mr Dixon told a New York investors' conference recently that Qantas and Jetstar were working on a proposal for a two-class international carrier based in Australia and serving point-to-point holiday routes not catered for by the mainline carrier.
The A350 and 787 both promise significant fuel savings compared with current jets of a similar size. Fiji's Air Pacific - part-owned by Qantas - is also looking at the A350 or the 787."