Qantas B747 Passengers to Get A380 Experience

MELBOURNE – September 8, 2011: Extensive refurbishment work has begun on a $250 (AUD) million project to overhaul the interiors of nine Qantas Boeing 747-400 aircraft with the installation of state-of-the-art Airbus A380 style seats and in-flight entertainment units.

“The new interiors will vastly improve the flying experience for tens of thousands of Qantas passengers every year,” Mr. Joyce said. “Installing A380 style interiors on these B747 aircraft will provide passengers with more style, more comfort, more space and more entertainment.”

“Since Qantas introduced the A380 in October 2008, there has been unprecedented demand for seats on these aircraft. This refurbishment program will give more passengers the opportunity to fly to more destinations with a premium flying experience,” Mr. Joyce said.

Each of the aircrafts will be fitted with 364 seats: 58 Business, 36 Premium Economy and 270 Economy.

The seats in all three cabins have won awards for their design and comfort, including the 2009 Australian International Design Award for the Economy seat.

Other new features include: Panasonic on-demand in-flight entertainment in every seat with more than 1,500 entertainment options, and a self-service snack bar in economy.

The project will see the current B747 cabin including seats, electrical wiring, fittings, galleys and in-flight entertainment stripped from the aircraft and brand new cabin fittings, in-flight entertainment and equipment installed. It takes six weeks for the interior of each aircraft to be overhauled.

The first reconfigured Boeing 747 will commence services between Brisbane and Los Angeles in October, operating three return services per week.

The remaining eight aircraft will be introduced across the international network by the end of 2012. Qantas is yet to determine which route the aircrafts will fly.

Qantas will have a fleet of 14 A380s and nine reconfigured B747 aircraft by the end of next year.