News
Qantas returns to Beijing with mature A330-200s and opens A380 hangar in Los Angeles
February 3rd 2017
Qantas Airways has resumed flights from Sydney to Beijing after an eight year hiatus. Read More » At the launch ceremony, Qantas Airways CEO, Alan Joyce, and Qantas International CEO, Gareth Evans, said China’s travel boom, Qantas’ reduced cost base and its “amazing partnership” with China Eastern Airlines would be key to the route’s success.
Qantas is resuming service to the Chinese capital with the two unrefurbished A330-200s in its fleet – VH-EBG and VH-EBL. The aircraft are equipped with angled business class seats and previous-generation Rockwell Collins IFE. Joyce said the two aircraft were the only A330s in the Qantas fleet with the range to fly to Beijing.
Qantas will serve Beijing daily and will compete on the route with Air China and partner China Eastern. Evans said the latter had agreed to a slot swap that provided more convenient landing and departure times for the Qantas flight.
This week, the airline opened a $30 million extension to its MRO facility at Los Angeles International Airport which will expand the A380-certified base by 50%, to 5.7 hectares. The hangar is the only U.S. facility that can accommodate the superjumbo.
