Currently the airline is considered a four-star airline by research consultancy firm Skytrax. In 2011, Qantas was voted the eighth best airline in the world by the firm, a drop from 2010 (seventh), 2009 (sixth), 2008 (third), 2007 (fifth), 2006 (second), and 2005 (second). In 2010, Qantas retained a 65 percent share of the Australian domestic market, however the airline struggles to compete with other carriers in its international operations.
History of Qantas
Qantas was founded in Winton, Queensland on 16 November 1920 as Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited. The airline's first aircraft was an Avro 504K. The airline flew internationally from May 1935, when it commenced service from Darwin to Singapore. In June 1959 Qantas entered the jet age when the first Boeing 707–138 was delivered .
Company affairs and identity
Headquarters
Qantas headquarters are located in the Qantas Centre in the Mascot suburb of the City of Botany Bay, Sydney, New South Wales.
In 1920 Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Ltd had its headquarters in Winton, Queensland. In 1921 the head office moved to Longreach, Queensland. In 1930 the head office moved to Brisbane. In 1957 a head head office, Qantas House, opened along Hunter Street in Sydney. In the 1970s a new A$50 million headquarters, consisting of twin skyscrapers, was being built in Sydney and expected to take one city block.The first and largest tower had an expected completion time in 1973.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders initiatives
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| Qantas Boeing 747-400 on final approach to 27L at London Heathrow |
Qantas, through its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Programme, has some links with the Aboriginal Australian community. As of 2007, the company has run the programme for more than ten years and 1–2% of its staff are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. Qantas employs a full time Diversity Coordinator, who is responsible for the programme.
Qantas has also bought and donated some Aboriginal Art. In 1993, the airline bought a painting — Honey Ant and Grasshopper Dreaming — from the Central Australian desert region. As of 2007, this painting is on permanent loan to Yiribana at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. In 1996, Qantas donated five extra bark paintings to the gallery. Qantas has also sponsored and supported Aboriginal artists in the past.
Promotional activities
Qantas used a small promotional animation on its website to announce it will offer in-flight internet services on its fleet of A380s. Qantas' present long-running advertising campaign features renditions by children's choirs of Peter Allen's "I Still Call Australia Home", set to footage of Australian scenery. A much earlier campaign aimed at American television audiences featured an Australian koala, who detested Qantas for bringing tourists to destroy his quiet life (his key tagline: "I hate Qantas"). Qantas is the main and shirt sponsor of the "Qantas Wallabies", the Australian national Rugby Union team. They also sponsor and have shirt rights to the Socceroos, Australia's national football team. Qantas is now the sponsor for the Formula One Australian Grand Prix. It last sponsored the Australian Grand Prix in 2001. For many years between 1994 and 2004, Qantas sponsorship logos appeared at the credits for Neighbours, Wheel Of Fortune, Hey Hey It's Saturday (as its sponsor), originally under the banner of We choose to fly.... These replaced earlier sponsorship under the Australian Airlines brand in 1994.
Australia Asia Airlines
Australia Asia Airlines (IATA: IM, ICAO: AAU, Call sign: Austasia) (澳亞航空公司 Àoyà Hángkōng Gōngsī) was a wholly owned subsidiary of Qantas set up to operate services between Australia and Taiwan in the Republic of China in 1990. This was because the People's Republic of China objected to national carriers of countries with which it had diplomatic relations flying to a territory that it regarded as a breakaway province. Similar arrangements were made by British Airways, KLM, Swissair and Japan Airlines amongst others.
The airline operated a Boeing 747SP and Boeing 767 aircraft seconded from the Qantas fleet, repainted in a modified livery, which did not display the Flag of Australia, or the kangaroo logo, which was replaced by a dynamic ribbon. It initially flew its flights using the IATA code IM but switched to Qantas's QF in 1994.
Australia Asia Airlines ceased operations in 1996 as Qantas could by then serve Taiwan in its own right due to it being completely privatised, and its aircraft were then returned to Qantas service. However, Qantas has since ceased flying to Taiwan, and now codeshares with EVA Air from Brisbane.
Fundamental structural change
In August 2011 the company announced that due to financial losses and a decline in market share, major structural changes would be made. Up to 1,000 jobs will be lost in Australia and a new Asia-based premium airline will be set up operating under a different name. It will also launch a budget airline, called Jetstar Japan, in partnership with Japan Airlines and Mitsubishi Corporation. Included in the changes are the cessation of services to London via Hong Kong and Bangkok, for which Qantas is no longer taking reservations.
Qantas destinations
Qantas destinations (including San Francisco terminated and not including Dallas)
Qantas flies to 20 domestic destinations and 21 international destinations in 14 countries across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania excluding the destinations served by its subsidiaries. In the entire Qantas group it serves 60 domestic and 27 international destinations. Domestically, Qantas advertises all direct flights between Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney as Qantas CityFlyer.
Antarctic flights
Qantas operates flightseeing charters to Antarctica on behalf of Croydon Travel. It first flew Antarctic flightseeing trips in 1977. They were suspended for a number of years due to the crash of Air New Zealand Flight 901 on Mt Erebus in 1979. Qantas restarted the flights in 1994. Although these flights do not touch down, they require specific polar operations and crew training due to factors like sector whiteout which contributed to the Air New Zealand disaster.
Partnerships
Codeshare agreements
Outside Oneworld, Qantas also exchanges codeshare agreements with the following airlines
Aircalin
Air France (SkyTeam)
Air Malta
Air Niugini
Airnorth
Air Pacific
Air Tahiti Nui
Air Vanuatu
Alaska Airlines
Asiana Airlines (Star Alliance)
EVA Air
El Al
China Eastern Airlines (SkyTeam)
Garuda Indonesia (future SkyTeam member)
Gulf Air
Jet Airways
Kenya Airways (SkyTeam)
Polynesian Airlines
South African Airways (Star Alliance)
Vietnam Airlines (SkyTeam)
Technology
Qantas moved from an in-house Passenger Service System known as QUBE (Qantas Universal Business Environment) to an outsourced solution provided by Amadeus in late 2000. In September 2007 Qantas announced a ten year extension of the outsourcing agreement. In addition to using Amadeus' Altéa platform for reservation and inventory management Qantas extended usage of the system by adopting the departure control module in February 2008.
Fleet
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| A Qantas Airbus A380-800 at Singapore Changi Airport. (2011) |
As of September 2011 the Qantas mainline fleet consists of the following aircraft
Qantas Fleet *
Aircraft Total Orders Passengers Notes
F C W Y
Total
Airbus A330-200 8 3[21] — 36 — 199 235
— 36 — 201 237
— 36 — 265 301
— 42 — 268 310
Airbus A330-300 10 — — 30 — 267 297
Airbus A380-800 10 10 14 72 32 332 450 Replacing: Boeing 747–400 and -400ER. Next four to be delivered in 2011 and 2012; last six deferred until retirement of 747-400ERs in around 2019
Boeing 737–400 16 — — 19 — 120 140 Phasing out in 2013
— 16 — 126 142
— 12 — 132 144
— 8 — 138 146
— 4 — 144 148
— — — 150 150[24]
Boeing 737–800 48 19[21] — 12 — 156 168
Boeing 747-400 19 — 14 66 40 187 307 Phasing out from 2013
Replacement aircraft : Airbus A380 and Boeing 787
14 52 32 255 353
— 56 40 275 371
— 56 — 356 412
Boeing 747-400ER 6 — 14 66 40 187 307 Sole operator of this version of the 747
To be replaced by A380s in 2019
Boeing 767-300ER 25 — — 25 — 204 229 Phasing out from 2012
Replacement aircraft: Boeing 787
— 30 — 214 244
— 30 — 224 254
Boeing 787–9 35
TBA
Replacing Boeing 767-300ER & 747-400
Total 142 82
* First Class and Premium Economy offered on select aircraft.
As of September 2011 Qantas and its subsidiaries operate 288 aircraft, which includes 61 aircraft by Jetstar Airways, 56 by the various QantasLink-branded airlines, 10 by Jetconnect, 10 by Network Aviation, four by Express Freighters Australia and five by Qantas Freight. The Boeing customer code for Qantas is 38. This code appears in Boeing aircraft model numbers (such as 747-438).
Wunala Dreaming
Yananyi Dreaming
Qantas has named its aircraft since 1926. Themes have included Greek gods, stars, people in Australian aviation history, and Australian birds. Since 1959, the majority of Qantas aircraft have been named after Australian cities. The Airbus A380 series, the flagship of the airline, is named after Australian aviation pioneers, with the first A380 named Nancy-Bird Walton.
Main article: Naming of Qantas aircraft
Qantas has two aircraft painted in Australian Aboriginal art liveries: Wunala Dreaming (Boeing 747-400ER VH-OEJ), and Yananyi Dreaming (Boeing 737–800 VH-VXB). Both carry striking, colourful liveries, designed by Australian Aborigines.[34] There was previously a third livery Nalanji Dreaming (Boeing 747–300 VH-EBU), but the aircraft was sold for spare parts in 2007.
Qantas historical fleet
First aircraft
Qantas' first aircraft was an Avro 504K (a replica of which can be seen at Sydney Airport's Qantas Domestic Terminal 3 on departures level) with a 100 horsepower (74 kW) water-cooled Sunbeam Dyak engine. By 1921 it also operated a Royal Aircraft Factory BE2E with a 90 horsepower (67 kW) air-cooled engine.
During World War II
During World War II Qantas operated flying boats on the Australia-England route. This service became a vital line of communication between Australia and the United Kingdom.
Lockheed Constellation era
After World War II Qantas modernised its fleet with Lockheed Constellation aircraft. By 1956 the airline was operating 34 propeller-driven aircraft. Qantas carried a record number of passengers to the XVl Olympic Games in Melbourne, and also carried the Olympic flame[36] into the Southern Hemisphere for the first time on its longest ever trip, from Athens to Darwin.
Jet era
Qantas entered the Jet Age in July 1959 with Boeing 707 services to the USA. The service was extended to London (via New York). Sydney–London services (via India) began in October 1959. With the certification of the turbofan engine, Qantas modified its existing 707–138 fleet with the turbofans, naming its Boeing 707 aircraft V-Jets, from the Latin vannus, meaning “fan” as commonly accepted, but really standing for “thing that blows against the grain”. In total, Qantas took delivery of seven Boeing 707–138 aircraft, and a further six −138Bs.
By the 1970s Qantas had acquired Boeing 747 aircraft,[40] which strengthened its long haul fleet. The fleet as of 1970 is listed below.
Qantas Airways fleet in 1970
Aircraft Total Orders Notes
BAC/Sud Concorde 0 0 Four on option
Boeing SST 0 0 Six on option
Boeing 707–300 21 0
Boeing 747–200 0 4
Douglas DC-3 2 0
Douglas DC-4 2 0
Hawker Siddeley HS 125 2 0 Used for pilot training
Lockheed L-188 Electra 1 0
Total 28 4
Services
In-flight entertainment
Qantas has several in-flight entertainment systems installed on its aircraft. Across the fleet, the in-flight experience is referred to as "On:Q". Apart from the QantasLink-operated Boeing 717s and Dash 8s, which do not have either audio or video entertainment options,every Qantas aircraft has some form of video audio entertainment.
iQ
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| iQ entertainment system on the A330 |
"iQ", is featured in all classes of the Airbus A380, as well as newer Airbus A330-200s. It will be implemented on new Boeing 737-800s,[43] and Boeing 787s when they enter service. This audio video on demand (AVOD) experience is based on the Panasonic Avionics system and features expanded entertainment options, touch screens, new communications related features such as Wi-Fi and mobile phone functionality, as well as increased support for electronics (such as USB and iPod connectivity).
Total Entertainment System
The "Total Entertainment System" by Rockwell Collins is featured on all Boeing 747–400, Airbus A330-300 and international-configuration Airbus A330-200 aircraft. This AVOD system includes personal LCD screens in all classes, located in the seat back for economy and business class, and in the armrest for premium economy and first class.
Qantas Mainscreen
The other entertainment system is the Mainscreen System, where video screens are the only available form of video entertainment; movies are shown on the screens for lengthier flights, or TV programmes on shorter flights. A news telecast will usually feature at the start of the flight. Audio options are less varied than on iQ or the Total Entertainment System.
The Mainscreen System is installed on on all Boeing 737-400s, domestic configured Boeing 737-800s (delivered before 2011) as well the economy and most business class sections on Boeing 767s. International-configured Boeing 767 aircraft have Mainscreen throughout the cabin however also offer a 10-channel looped personal video system in Business Class.
Nine's Qantas Inflight News
The Australian Nine Network provides a news bulletin for Qantas entitled Nine's Qantas Inflight News. This news bulletin includes all the latest news, sport, finance and weather details presented by Amber Higlett. The bulletin is the same broadcast as Nine's Early Morning News.
In-flight magazine
The Qantas in-flight magazine is entitled The Australian Way. The magazine, along with a travel blog featuring entries from Qantas ambassadors and the ability for frequent flyers to post comments.
In-flight internet connectivity
Boeing's cancellation of the Connexion by Boeing system caused concerns that in-flight internet would not be available on next-generation aircraft such as Qantas' fleet of Airbus A380s and Boeing 787s. However, Qantas announced in July 2007 that all service classes in its fleet of A380s would have wireless internet access as well as seat-back access to e-mail and cached web browsing. Certain elements would also be retrofitted into existing Boeing 747-400s. The in-flight entertainment system indicates that Internet access is provided by OnAir.
In-flight mobile phone trial
Qantas announced in April 2007, a trial for use of mobile telephones with AeroMobile, during domestic services for three months on a Boeing 767. During the trial, passengers were allowed to send and receive text messages and emails, but were not able to make or receive calls.
Cabin
First class
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| Qantas First Class suite on the A380 |
First class is offered only on the Boeing 747–400 and Airbus A380.
On the Boeing 747–400, first class is in the form of flat bed sleeping pods with 79 in seat pitch with each seat being 22 in wide. It folds flat to form a 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) fully flat bed. Other features include a 26 cm (10.4 in) touch screen monitor with 400 AVOD programs and personal 110 V AC power outlets in every seat. Qantas offers 14 seats on all the 747-400s equipped with first class.
On the Airbus A380,[56] Qantas offers 14 individual suites, with 83.5 in seat pitch (extending to a 212 cm fully flat bed) and a width of 29 in. Each suite has a 43 cm (17 in) wide screen HD monitor with 1000 AVOD programs. In addition to the 110 V AC power outlets offered on the 747-400, USB ports are also offered for connectivity. Passengers are also able to make use of the on-board business lounge on the upper deck.
Complimentary access to either the first class or business class lounges (or affiliated lounges) is offered.
Business class
Business class is offered on all Qantas mainline passenger aircraft.
Qantas long-haul Business Class SkyBed seats
International Business Class is available on the Boeing 747, some International Airbus A330-200s, the A330-300 and the Airbus A380. On the Boeing 747, seating is in a 2-3-2 configuration on the main deck and a 2–2 configuration on the upper deck. The A330 features a 2-2-2 configuration. The lie-flat Skybeds feature 60 in of seat pitch and 21.5 in width. 747s and A330s features a 26 cm (10.4 in) touch screen monitor with 400 AVOD programs. Qantas' new international business class product is featured on the Airbus A380. It features 72 fully flat Skybed seats with 80 in seat pitch (converting to a 200 cm long bed). These seats are located on the upper-deck in a 2-2-2 configuration in 2 separate cabins. features include a 30 cm touch screen monitor with 1000 AVOD programs and an on-board lounge. On the internationally configured Boeing 767, seating is in a 1-2-2 configuration, which include a 13 cm monitor with 10 channels of video and 12 channels of audio.
Complimentary access to the Qantas business class lounge (or affiliated lounges) is also offered.
Premium economy class
Premium economy class is only available on Airbus A380 and certain Boeing 747–400 aircraft. It has a seat pitch of 38 in on the Boeing 747 & it ranges between 38–42 in on the Airbus A380, with a width of 19.5 in. On the Boeing 747, it is configured in a 2-4-2 seating arrangement around the middle of the main deck, whilst it is in a 2-3-2 at the rear of the upper deck on the A380. All A380's have 32 seats.
Qantas premium economy is presented as a lighter business class product rather than most other airlines' premium economy, often presented as a higher economy class.
Qantas long-haul Economy cabin
Economy class
Economy class is available on all Qantas mainline passenger aircraft.
Seat pitch is usually 31 inches (790 mm) and seat width ranges from 17 to 17.5 inches (440 mm). Layouts are 3–3 on the 737, 2-3-2 on the 767,[59] 2-4-2 on the A330 and 3-4-3 on the 747. On the A380, the layout is 3-4-3 and there are 4 self-service snack bars located in between cabins.
Awards
Service Award
Skytrax Airline of the Year — listed in the top five airlines in the world for five consecutive years.
Skytrax Best Airline Australia – 2005, 2006, 2008
Skytrax Best Regional Airline Australia – 2006, 2008
Entertainment
WAEA Avion awards Best Overall Inflight Entertainment – 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006
Inflight entertainment guide – 2005, 2006
WAEA Avion awards Best Entertainment for Inseat Systems – 2006
Wine awards
Best First Class Red – 2009 Cellars in the Sky Awards
Best First Class Fortified – 2009 Cellars in the Sky Awards
Best First Class Cellar – 2009 Cellars in the Sky Awards
Best Presented Wine List – 2009 Cellars in the Sky Awards
Best First and Business Class Wine List – 2005 cellars in the Sky Awards.
Most Original First Class Wine List – 2007, 2008 cellars in the Sky Awards.
Best First Class – 2007 Cellars in the sky awards
Best Business Class Sparkling Award – 2007 cellars in the Sky Awards
Best Consistency of Wines across Business and First – 2007 Cellars in the Sky Awards
Design Awards
2009 Australian International Design Award of the Year – A380 Economy Seat[63] 2010 – The Chicago Anthenaeum’s Annual Good Design Awards — A380 First Class Suite
Qantas Frequent Flyer
The Qantas Frequent Flyer programme rewards customer loyalty. Points are accrued based on distance flown, with bonuses that vary by travel class, and can be earned on Oneworld airlines as well as other partners. Points can be redeemed for flights or upgrades on flights operated by Qantas, Oneworld airlines, and other partners. Other partners include credit cards, car rental companies, hotels and many others.
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