Qantas has received its first Dreamliner (named Great Southern Land in a public naming competition) to much fanfare and a fitting tribute from Icehouse’s Iva Davies. The airline is set to receive a further seven 787s before the end of next year, with the option to purchase up to 45.
It is the first new plane model to be delivered since Qantas received its first Airbus A380 superjumbo in 2008. It’s been called a game changer for Qantas with Alan Joyce saying that it is going to be the best aircraft Qantas has ever put in the air.
The state-of-the-art aircraft will service some of the Flying Kangaroo’s longest journeys, including a 17-hour flight between Perth and London that will directly link Australia and the UK for the first time.
Passengers on the Dreamliner can expect larger windows, better air quality to help reduce jet lag and ride dampening technology to reduce the effects of turbulence. The jet is also quieter, 20% more fuel efficient and generates fewer greenhouse emissions than aircraft of a similar size.
Source: Qantas Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner seats, cabin photos: First 787 delivered by Craig Platt www.traveller.com.au Oct 17th, Qantas receives its first Dreamliner by Lauren McMah www.news.com.au Oct 23rd.