Qantas has unveiled a major upgrade to its international Airbus A330 fleet, introducing new Economy seats with enhanced entertainment features.
These cabin improvements will be implemented across aircraft serving popular Asian routes to Hong Kong, Singapore, and Tokyo. It represents a substantial investment in passenger comfort and connectivity.
A330 Cabin Refresh Program
The extensive cabin refresh program, encompassing 10 A330-200 aircraft, introduces several key improvements designed to transform the flying experience.
Economy Class
At the heart of the upgrade are the new Economy seats, specifically designed for comfort during long-haul flights. These seats mirror the design planned for Qantas’ ambitious Project Sunrise ultra-long-haul flights. They bring premium comfort features to standard international routes.
Entertainment options receive a significant boost with the installation of 13.3-inch 4K OLED touchscreens. The upgraded screen offer 20% more viewing area than existing screens.
The crystal-clear display quality, combined with an intuitive user interface, promises to keep passengers engaged throughout their journey.
Modern connectivity features include fast-charging USB-C ports and Bluetooth audio capability. This allows travelers to use their preferred headphones for a more personalized entertainment experience.
The cabin ambiance will be enhanced through the introduction of sophisticated mood lighting systems. Fresh curtains and carpets throughout the aircraft complement the lighting scheme. These aesthetic improvements create a more welcoming and relaxing environment for passengers on international services.
Business Suites
While the Economy cabin undergoes this substantial transformation, the current Business Suites will remain unchanged. These popular fully-flat beds, which match the premium offerings on Qantas’ A380s and 787 Dreamliners, continue to receive excellent feedback from business travelers.
Renovation Schedule
The ambitious renovation schedule begins in mid-2025 at Qantas’ Brisbane maintenance facility, with the first upgraded aircraft expected to enter service by year’s end.
The entire fleet modernization program is set to conclude by late 2026, ensuring a consistent experience across all international A330 services.
Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace gave comment on the fleet investment. “This comprehensive upgrade allows us to introduce next-generation features across our existing fleet while we await the arrival of new international aircraft.”
“The new Economy seats, identical to those planned for our A350-1000ULR aircraft, will provide passengers with an early preview of the exceptional Project Sunrise experience.”
The upgrade program aligns with Qantas’ broader fleet renewal strategy, announced last year, which includes orders for 24 new aircraft. 12 Airbus A350s and 12 Boeing 787s widebody aircraft are scheduled to arrive from FY27 onwards. These new aircraft will gradually replace the current A330 fleet, offering extended range capabilities that not only cover existing routes but also enable the airline to explore new destinations.
International Wi-Fi Rollout
In parallel with the cabin upgrades, Qantas has launched an ambitious international Wi-Fi rollout across its A330 fleet. The initiative promises free, high-speed internet access on select Asian routes by December 2024.
Currently, passengers can enjoy Wi-Fi connectivity while flying over Australian airspace to destinations including Hong Kong, Delhi, and Bengaluru.
The Wi-Fi service is designed to support all passengers with fast, reliable connections throughout their journey.
This matches the success of Qantas’ domestic Wi-Fi service, which currently achieves impressive average usage rates of 75%, with some routes seeing full passenger adoption.
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