The Qantas Group’s first ultra-modern Boeing 787 Dreamliner has landed in Melbourne today (Oct 9).
Qantas used the delivery flight to reveal the first routes that Jetstar’s Boeing 787 will fly on are domestic services from Melbourne to the Gold Coast and Cairns.
The announcement of the domestic routes was revealed during an official handover ceremony at Boeing’s Everett plant in Seattle, attended by Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce and Jetstar Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka.
The ‘game-changing’ aircraft is the first of 14 Dreamliners destined for the Jetstar international fleet and provides a step change in efficiency and customer experience.
“Today is a historic milestone for the Qantas Group and Jetstar as we welcome the most advanced passenger aircraft ever constructed to the fleet,” Joyce said.
“In just ten short years, Jetstar has grown to be the largest low fares group of carriers in the Asia Pacific, carrying more than 100 million passengers. The 787 will set up Jetstar for another decade of growth.
“Jetstar revolutionised long haul low fares travel and today that continues with the introduction of the 787, an aircraft that burns 20 per cent less fuel and gives passengers a more comfortable flying experience.”
Jetstar Airways’ fleet of 787s will each carry 335 customers and feature a 21-passenger business class cabin and 314 in economy with inflight entertainment in every seat. Key features include larger windows, better cabin atmosphere to reduce jetlag and technology to minimise turbulence.
In what is a standard process for the introduction of all new types of aircraft in Australia, Jetstar is working with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to vary Jetstar’s Air Operators Certificate to include the 787 Dreamliner ahead of its first commercial flight.
Jetstar Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said the domestic services for the first 787 flights will soon be on sale for travel from Wednesday 13 November 2013.