QF A380 delivery date announced

[Andrew McLaughlin]

QANTAS ANNOUNCES A380 DELIVERY DATE

SYDNEY, 7 August 2008: Qantas announced today that it would take delivery of its first A380 aircraft on 19 September 2008.

The Executive General Manager of Qantas, Mr John Borghetti, said the airline would welcome its first A380 aircraft into the Qantas fleet at a ceremony at Airbus’ Toulouse factory and fly it via Singapore to Sydney, where it will land on Sunday morning, 21 September.

Mr Borghetti reconfirmed that Qantas would operate its first A380 commercial passenger service from Melbourne to Los Angeles on 20 October 2008, and its first Sydney-Los Angeles service on 24 October. “This is the first of 20 A380s to join the Qantas fleet, with a total of three being delivered by the end of 2008,” he said. “We will be progressively introducing A380 services from Sydney to London via Singapore from early 2009.”

Mr Borghetti said the Qantas A380 would offer the airline’s customers the best cabin design in the sky. “Our Creative Director, world-renowned industrial designer Marc Newson, has overseen the design and development of all four classes on board – First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy – and all cabins will provide new levels of comfort, innovation, and style,” Mr Borghetti said.

“The A380 is an exciting addition to the Qantas fleet, and our customers and staff are all eagerly awaiting its arrival.”