Melbourne to get more Qantas A380 flights

By danwarne, May 20 2011
Melbourne to get more Qantas A380 flights

IN BRIEF | Qantas is set to boost the number of its Airbus A380 flights between Melbourne and Los Angeles.

The daily service between the two cities currently uses an A380 superjumbo on four days, with a Boeing 747-400 filling in on the remaining three days.

As of 30 October 2011 Qantas will add three more 'A380 days' to the route, with a 747-400 cut back to just one day.

The change allows Qantas to ramp up in time for the 2011-2012 Christmas peak season and coincides with Qantas receiving its 10th A380, out of a total of 20 airliners the company has ordered from Airbus.

Confidence in the A380 was shaken after the disastrous engine explosion that tore a hole in the wing of the plane in November last year.

On another recent flight, Qantas had to divert an international A380 flight to the wrong city because the aircraft didn't have enough fuel to make it to its planned destination.

However, the airline believes the improved comfort of the A380 is a significant drawcard over competitors still only flying Boeing 747s and 777s with older cabin fit-outs, more engine noise and dryer/higher pressure cabin air.


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