Qantas makes first A380 flight to USA
[October 20th 2008]
Australian airline Qantas has launched its first flight to the USA today using the new Airbus A380 superjumbo.
The flight left Melbourne at 11.15 local time this morning and is scheduled to land in Los Angeles at 7.30 local time. At LA airport the Qantas A380 will be met by Qantas Ambassador-at-Large and Grease star John Travolta, fellow grease star and Australian singer Olivia Newton-John and the mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa.
The Qantas A380 double decker has 450 seats in four classes – 14 in first class, 72 in business class, 32 in premium economy and 332 in economy. Interiors have been designed by world renowned Australian industrial designer and Qantas creative director Marc Newson. The first Qantas A380 has been named Nancy-Bird Walton, after the legendary 92 year old Australian aviation pioneer.
According to Qantas chief executive officer, Geoff Dixon, the airline’s decision to make its first commercial flight on the A380 to the USA confirms its commitment to the trans-Pacific market.
"We have operated air services between Australia and the United States since 1954 and have invested significantly over our 54 years of operation to develop these routes,” says Dixon.
Following the launch of A380 flights from Melbourne to Los Angeles, Qantas will operate its first service on the A380 from Sydney to Los Angeles this Friday, October 24th.
Qantas operates its own flights to LA, New York, San Francisco and Honolulu and has codeshare agreements with other airlines to a total of 25 destinations in the USA and Canada.
So far Qantas has ordered a total of 20 Airbus A380s. The airline will have taken delivery of three A380s by the end of this year and says it will have eight in service by the end of next year.
"By the end of 2009, when our eighth aircraft has been delivered, Qantas will offer daily A380 services to Los Angeles from Melbourne," confirms Dixon.
In January next year Qantas plans to launch its first A380 services from Australia to London Heathrow via Singapore.
Written by: Nick Purdom