Qantas announces world’s largest aircraft on the world’s longest route

Those who fly Qantas can now look forward to boarding the world’s biggest passenger airplane on the world’s longest route, with non-stop A380 flights operating between Sydney and Dallas/Forth Worth.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said Qantas is no stranger to pushing the boundaries of international air travel.

“Today, Qantas is leading the way again with the introduction of the world's largest passenger aircraft on the world's longest route, Sydney to Dallas/Fort Worth, with a flying time of almost 16 hours,” said Mr Joyce.

“We know our customers will value the comfort of the A380 on this route, particularly for our award winning seat in every cabin, the sense of space and quiet, our entertainment options and the inflight hospitality.”

Mr Joyce says the upgrade in aircraft brings with it an improved schedule, allowing travellers more seats and options when flying to and from the US.

“Not only will the A380 increase seats on the route by more than 10 per cent each week, it will also provide us with greater fuel efficiency and the range to operate the return service direct back to Sydney,” he said.

“Our customers also now have the choice of four cabins to both Los Angeles and Dallas/Fort Worth as we introduce our Marc Newson designed First Class Suites on the Dallas/Fort Worth route for the first time.”

Qantas has also revealed more flights will connect Australians to the US, increasing to 41 flights per week.

Roughly half of these services are operated by A380 airplanes.

The Sydney to Dallas/Fort Worth journey is the only direct flight from Australia to inland United States.

Naturally, Mr Joyce says the use of the A380 on this leg will ensure Qantas flyers a more convenient journey.

“The Dallas/Fort Worth service offers direct access right into the heart of the US with over 50 connections to all US major cities all within four hours, including Orlando, Boston and Houston.

Since starting on the route in 2011 the feedback from our corporate customers, especially those in the resources, technology and agricultural sectors, tells us they like flying into the Dallas hub because it gets them closer to their final destination in the US and offers great onward connections."

Beyond convenience, the new A380 service will also enable more prospects for tourism and trade between Australia and the US.

“Dallas/Fort Worth is home to our partner American Airlines, and it's the perfect hub for both business and leisure travellers heading in either direction across the Pacific,” added Mr Joyce.

Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer Sandra Chipchase is excited about such prospects, “The new non-stop services, supported by Destination NSW, will deliver an extra 13,700 visitors to Sydney every year, providing a boost to the State's economy and making it easier for Americans to experience our pristine beaches, vibrant and diverse events, Aussie hospitality and our State's outstanding food and wine,” she said.

“The US is one of our top five key inbound visitor markets. In the past financial year 317,000 visitors from the United States contributed approximately $546 million into the NSW economy, so the more we can do to encourage them to visit Sydney and NSW the better,” she said.

The new A380 service will run six times a week (every day except Tuesdays).

QF7 will depart Sydney at 1310 and arrive at DFW International Airport at 1345 local time (the same day).

The return service QF8, will depart DFW at 2215 local time and arrive in Sydney at 0605 two days later (due to an evening departure and the international dateline).

The flight time between the destinations is about 15 hours long.

Through its codeshare partnership with American Airlines, Qantas offers onward connections to more than 100 destinations across the US, with more than 50 of those from Dallas/Fort Worth including Orlando, Boston, Houston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Washington, Toronto, Vancouver, Cancun and Mexico City.

This new service comes in the 60th anniversary year of Qantas services between Australia and the US.

To celebrate the milestone, Qantas painted its A380 aircraft operating the route with special insignia; the kangaroo on the tail features a traditional Stetson hat with a neckerchief in the American-stars print, with a “G'Day Texas” emblem next to the forward doors.

For more information visit www.qantas.com.au