Qantas Unveils Its Dreamliner Cabin Design and New Livery
Today, Qantas unveiled details and seating configurations for its 787-9 Dreamliners, which it plans to phase into the fleet throughout 2018 and 2019. The Australia-based carrier is set to take delivery of its first Dreamliner in 2017, and it hasn't yet released the routes on which the Dreamliners will fly, but we do know the configuration of each of the aircraft.
The Qantas Dreamliner will seat 236 passengers across three cabins — business, premium economy and economy. As a point of comparison, American Airlines' 787-9 aircraft features 285 seats across four cabins, and United's Dreamliner features 252 seats. Qantas hasn't released the exact configuration of its seats or cabins, but we do know that the business-class cabin will be arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration and feature fully flat beds.
The 1-2-1 configuration on the Dreamliner is a definite step above the carrier's business-class layout on its A380, which is arranged in a 2-2-2 configuration. With the Dreamliner's layout, each passenger will have direct aisle access.
Farther back in the cabin of the aircraft, we don't yet know the configuration or dimensions of the premium economy or economy cabins. However, based on pictures, it's easy to make out that the economy cabin will most likely feature a 3-3-3 configuration.
Each economy seat will have a personal device holder and USB ports, more storage areas and an updated in-flight entertainment touchscreen. In addition, each seat will feature an updated version of Qantas' footrest for additional comfort when reclined — a definite positive when sitting in economy on a long-haul flight.
There's no word yet on where the 787 will fly, but Qantas said that it will take over routes that are currently operated by its 747s, which consume far more fuel. The carrier also said that the first international flights on the Dreamliner will go on sale before Christmas, so there's something to look forward to.
The airline isn't just updating the interior on some of its aircraft; it also announced today that it's updating its iconic kangaroo livery. The thought behind the new livery is to make it more modern — along the same lines as its updated Dreamliner cabins. Both the kangaroo on the tail of the updated livery and the typography of Qantas are set to change. The new livery is set to roll out through the Qantas network starting today with its digital assets, signage and advertising. Updating of its aircraft livery is expected to be complete in 2020.
Are you going to try out Qantas' new Dreamliner when it's available?
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