Air Transport

Australia’s Qantas Airways has set 20 October as the date for its first Airbus A380 service, between Melbourne and Los Angeles.

The Oneworld alliance carrier is to be the third operator of the A380 after Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Emirates. SIA has been operating A380s since October and Emirates is due to put its first aircraft into service on 1 August, with flights between Dubai and New York.

Qantas' interactive website allows the passenger to experience the different suites. This one demonstrates business class

Qantas says tickets for its A380 services went on sale today. It says the first service will be between Melbourne and Los Angeles on 20 October. From 24 October the aircraft will be used for one weekly service between Melbourne and Los Angeles and another weekly service between Sydney and Los Angeles, it adds.

Qantas demonstrates the foot rest available in economy class

The airline is due to take delivery of its first A380 late this summer and a second is due to be introduced in November, allowing it to increase Los Angeles services. From January the A380 will also be used for some of Qantas’ services between Sydney and Singapore as well as between Singapore and London.

Qantas’ A380s will have 450 seats in four classes.

Source: flightglobal.com's sister premium news site Air Transport Intelligence news

Aircraft profile: Airbus A380

Qantas Airbus A380 interactive website