Qantas to spend 1.5 bln upgrading fleet from Boeing 747 to Dreamliners

SYDNEY, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Qantas Airways, the flag carrier of Australia, said on Wednesday that it had acquired six additional 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft to replace the current Boeing 747 models.

The Boeing 747 models have served the Australian airline since 1971.

Although the new planes will actually carry less passengers and cost the company around 1.5 billion U.S. dollars, the Dreamliner is considered to be far more comfortable and luxurious than the previous 747 model.

The new aircraft will also be more energy efficient, using 20 percent less fuel and requiring far less maintenance.

"This really is the end of one era and the start of another," Qantas Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce said.

"The jumbo (747) has been the backbone of Qantas International for more than 40 years and we've flown almost every type that Boeing built."

"Over the years, each new version of the 747 allowed Qantas to fly further and improve what we offered to passengers. The Dreamliners are now doing the same thing."

So far, Qantas has already taken delivery of four 787-9 and are awaiting the arrival of four more by the end of the year.

The latest order of Dreamliners, that will take the fleet to 14, are set to be in operation by the end of 2020.

"The 787 has better economics and a longer range, and it has already opened up new routes like Perth to London," Joyce said.

"With a larger fleet of Dreamliners, we'll be looking at destinations in the Americas, Asia, South Africa and Europe." Enditem