Qantas 2007 Annual Report Download - page 15

13Qantas |Annual Report 2007
Product Developments
•In July 2007, Qantas unveiled a state-of-the-art range of Marc
Newson designed aircraft seats, interiors, product enhancements
and a new Premium Economy cabin for its fleet of 20 new A380s
being delivered from August 2008.
The Qantas A380 will be configured with 450 seats – 14 in First,
72 in Business, 32 in Premium Economy and 332 in Economy. Key
features include private suites in First and an enhanced, fully flat
Skybed sleeper seat in Business, a completely new experience in
Premium Economy including seats by Recaro, and revolutionary
new seats – also manufactured by Recaro – in Economy.
The A380 will feature wireless connectivity, larger wide-screen
monitors and a new on-demand inflight entertainment system
offering 120 movies, 300 television selections, 500 CDs, 30 games
and a selection of audio books, destination information, language
tutorials and radio channels.
•Qantas’ new Premium Economy cabin will be introduced
progressively on the airline’s international B747-400 aircraft from
February 2008, as well as being delivered already installed on the
new A380s. Premium Economy seats will be wider than those
in Economy, with extra recline. Premium Economy will feature
more comfort and enhanced levels of service, including dedicated
check-in, a self-service bar and in-arm video screen.
•New First lounges were opened in Sydney and Melbourne
in May 2007. Designed by Marc Newson, the lounges are
managed by luxury hotel group Sofitel and offer a full concierge,
restaurant and chair-side waiter service, day spa and
state-of-the-art business facilities.
•Special dedicated check-in facilities were introduced for First
customers, also in May 2007. Qantas First Hosts manage the
check-in process from preparing departure documentation the
day prior to departure through to providing a kerb-side greeting,
arranging porter service and providing an escort through
security screening and immigration.
•Qantas introduced a range of new product in March 2007, including
new designer amenity collections in First and Business, pyjamas for
Business passengers on selected services and new crockery, cutlery
and glassware. A world-first eight course degustation menu
developed by Australian chef and restaurateur Neil Perry, was also
introduced in First on selected flights.
•For the second consecutive year, Qantas was recognised as
having the Best Overall Inflight Entertainment by the World
Airline Entertainment Association. Qantas has won the Best
Overall award for four out of the past five years.
Alliances
Qantas is a founding member of the oneworld Alliance, which
continued to expand, with the addition of Japan Airlines, Malév
Hungarian Airlines and Royal Jordanian Airlines in April 2007. The
three new members increased the Alliance’s reach to 9,000 daily
departures covering nearly 150 countries and 700 airports.
Qantas also has equity investments, commercial arrangements and
other agreements with a wide range of international carriers, including
25 codeshare relationships.
These arrangements give Qantas cost and efficiency benefits and offer
customers an expanded network, more frequent flights and Frequent
Flyer opportunities.
During the year, Qantas entered into new codeshare relationships with
Air China, India’s Jet Airways, Mexicana, new oneworld member Malév
Hungarian Airlines and Germany’s Deutsche Bahn, Qantas’ first
codeshare arrangement outside Australia with a rail operator. Qantas
also expanded its existing arrangements with Air France.
In July 2007, Qantas unveiled
a state-of-the-art range of Marc
Newson designed aircraft seats,
interiors, product enhancements
and a new Premium Economy cabin
for its fleet of 20 new A380s being
delivered from August 2008.
First lounge
New Marc Newson designed
First lounges opened in Sydney
and Melbourne.