Qantas’ Big 787 News

As Qantas readies for the arrival of its first high-capacity variant of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the 787-10, exciting plans are in the works. Speaking with executive traveler Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace, discussed the future of its seating on the fleet as it powers through renewal efforts. With the 787-9 and soon the 787-10 featuring, the business has many key decisions to make concerning the interior of its planes as the arrival as well of the A350-1000 ULR aims to take a step forward with the onboard product. Wallace has said that as delivery of the 787-10 inches closer, well essentially there becomes a greater focus on the business to how to make this aircraft truly a next generation model, providing another chance at least for them to study what the business class cabin would look like. This opportunity allows the airline to explore fundamentally different possibilities. These comments come as remembering factory fresh 787-9s are also expected to be delivered but will hold the same seating and layout as their older already in-service jets. This type of move has many positives for the airline, for example with greater continuity across the 787 fleet, well Qantas is in a position where it can achieve the operational flexibility that it desires notably by switching aircraft where required thanks to the similar design and harmonious passenger experience. It is not as simple either with a new product either, away from the sheer investment but also through the certification processes as this is totally visible now with Lufthansa's woes where its new business class cabin is being blocked due to the lack of approval for the seats to be sold, limiting revenue for now Qantas's 787 fleet consists of 14 aircraft averaging just over 7 years, the latest batch to remember coming heavily delayed due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic so therefore your upcoming units are definitely going to be part of a long haul fleet operation. Qantas's order for the 787-10 came in August 2023 and was not just exclusive to this model a commitment before additional 787-9's were also secured to improve the widebody fleet. The deal included 8 of the 787-10's a long rumoured addition to the airline's operation that was really awaiting the formal confirmation. That new batch at the time of announcement was expected to be delivered from financial year 27 onwards with the A350 also on order whether for sunrise operations or to eventually replace the A380-800. This and the 787 are definitely expected to help reshape the airline's widebody operations moving into the 2030s and beyond. Qantas is specifically selecting the 787-10 with the intention of this replacing the A330 series. This is definitely a workhorse which is featured across some of the airline's most in-demand domestic services and also at times the international network but the airline feels that the 787-10 deal comes at the right time. It is also a deal that ended the prospect of a contract for the A330neo which was also being reported as in the discussion to replace the A330CO as the natural replacement but we know this would have just added another fleet type and if the airline was able to consolidate its widebody operations to more so a reliance on the 787 this would certainly harbour more benefits than negatives. Keen to hear your take on what you believe the airline should do with its Boeing 787-10 operation that is nearing formal launch. Let me know down below in the comments. Thanks for your support, take care, do be safe and I'll see you tomorrow for your next industry news video.